The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and nine other former governors in the 10th Senate over their collection of both salaries and pensions as senators.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the deputy director, SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare today.
Joined in the suit as Respondents are Senators Abdulaziz Yari, Aminu Tambuwal, Adamu Aliero, Adams Oshiomole, Ibrahim Gaidam, Seriake Dickson, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Aliyu Wammako, Gbenga Daniel, and Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.
In the suit filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr. Akpabio, nine other senators and Mr Umahi to stop collecting both salaries and pensions and to return any pensions collected to their respective state treasuries.”
The body lamented that it was absurd for the respondents to be “looking after themselves while over 137 million Nigerians are living in extreme poverty” which was worsened by the fuel subsidy removal.
SERAP added that collecting pensions as former governors and salaries while serving as public officers is a flagrant violation of the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution and the public trust.
In the suit, SERAP argued that the Seventh Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) requires the former governors to stop collecting both salaries and pensions and to return any pensions collected.
The group noted that unless the reliefs sought are granted, the former governors would continue to both enjoy life pension packages, and collect salaries as serving public officers, and the travesty and private self-interest would continue.
The statement also stated the benefits accrued to former governors and their deputies, alongside their wives, ranging from pensions to medical treatments, security, and more.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit, the statement noted.