SERAP threatens to sue Akpabio, Abbas over ‘running costs’ paid to lawmakers

The organisation is also requesting that the leaders provide an account of the spending details of any such running costs.

According to a statement by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s request follows recent controversy surrounding the ‘jumbo pay’ received by each senator.

A former senator, Shehu Sani, had claimed that senators receive a monthly running cost of thirteen point five million naira in addition to a seven hundred and fifty thousand naira salary, a claim faulted by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

However, in the statement, SERAP explained that its request was intended to promptly end the alleged practice by the National Assembly of fixing its salaries, allowances, and running costs, in conformity with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international obligations.

SERAP advised the National Assembly leaders to also put an end to the alleged practice of paying running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers, adding that any alleged misuse or mismanagement of the running costs should be reported to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.