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N21m Jumbo Pay: SERAP Sues Akpabio, Abbas For ‘fixing N’Assembly Running Costs’

Published

1 year ago

September 1, 2024

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, over their failure to end the fixing the National Assembly’s allowances and running costs, and the failure to account for the monthly running costs paid to members.

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024 filed last Friday, August 27, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Akpabio and Abbas were sued separately and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.

SERAP, in the suit filed on behalf of its lawyers, is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel Akpabio and Abbas to end the apparently unlawful practice of the National Assembly fixing its remuneration and allowances termed as ‘running cost’.

The organisation is also seeking an “order of mandamus to direct and compel Akpabio and Abbas to disclose the exact amount of the monthly running costs being paid to and received by the lawmakers and the spending details of any such running costs.”

The suit read in part, “The country’s international legal obligations, especially under the UN Convention against Corruption, impose a legal commitment on public officials, including lawmakers, to discharge a public duty truthfully and faithfully.

“The convention, specifically in paragraph 1 of article 8, requires members to promote integrity, honesty and responsibility in the management of public resources.

“Constitutional oath of office requires public officials, including lawmakers, to abstain from all improper acts, such as fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs, that are inconsistent with the public trust.

“It is a travesty and a fundamental breach of their fiduciary duties for members of the National Assembly to fix their own salaries, allowances and running costs.”

SERAP argued that the provisions of paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] clearly make it unlawful for the National Assembly to fix its salaries, allowances and running costs.

It also argued that the alleged practice of paying running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers is a fundamental breach of Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations.

The suit added, “Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations provides: ‘Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private bank account.’

“In the Seventh Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution, lawmakers commit to strive to ‘preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution’, [and to] perform their ‘functions honestly, faithfully’, to act ‘always in the interest of the well-being and prosperity of Nigeria’.

“Lawmakers also commit to ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of Nigeria; and abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.’

“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’

“According to our information, members of the National Assembly are currently fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs. The running costs are reportedly paid directly into the personal accounts of members.”

However, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Related Topics:#Godswill Akpabio SERAP Speaker Abbas

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Out-of-school: Bauchi Education Ministry Takes ‘Back To School’ Campaign To Markets

Published

9 hours ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi State Ministry of Education has launched a sensitization campaign on the importance of education across selected market places in the state.

The campaign aims to encourage school enrolment and showcase the infrastructural facilities provided by the Bauchi state government to ensure a conducive environment for learning and teaching in the state.

Speaking during the flag off of the campaign at Gadan-Maiwa Community, Dr. Mohammed Lawal, the state’s Commissioner for Education, emphasized that the marketplaces are ideal locations to promote education, as it is a hub of activity where people gather to buy and sell.

He highlighted the various infrastructural facilities provided by the government, which he said included the mega schools, provision of qualified teachers, and educational materials to woo parents to enroll their wards into school.

The Commissioner noted that the state has made significant progress in reducing the number of out-of-school children.

Lawal stated that the government has implemented a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme to support the education of girl children, which he said, has recorded significant success.

He therefore urged parents to take advantage of the government’s efforts and send their children to school.

The commissioner also commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his commitment to education and reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.

On their part, the village head of Gadan-Maiwa, Safiyanu Ahmed, and the Chairman of Gadan-Maiwa motor Park, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, lauded the government’s initiative and urged parents to support the effort.

The duo also appealed for more teachers to be employed to improve education in the state.

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How My Fiancée kept Me From Temptations – Singer Spyro

Published

14 hours ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer, Oludipe Oluwasanmi David, popularly known as Spyro, has revealed that his fiancée, Janet Atom, keeps him him grounded and away from temptations.

The ‘Who’s Your Guy’ crooner shared that before meeting his fiancée he was “tempted” by ladies, especially in Lekki.

Hailing his fiancée as his “Jesus baddie,” he appreciated her for changing his life.

The singer captioned a picture of his fiancée via Instagram; “Eiii God! My very own Jesus baddie @_callme_njure.

“Thank you again for saving me from Lekki girls o, na me know wettin my eyes see.”

Recall that Spyro recently engaged Janet Atom. He disclosed that he met her at a nightclub while announcing their engagement in September.

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Drama In Abuja Hotel As BBNaija Star, Phyna Creates Scene Over alleged N200,000 Dispute [VIDEO]

Published

14 hours ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

Former Big Brother Naija winner, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, was reportedly involved in a heated altercation at a hotel in Abuja following an alleged N200,000 disagreement.

According to eyewitness accounts, the confrontation began in the early hours of Tuesday inside Phyna’s hotel room in Abuja, before spilling into the lobby, attracting the attention of guests and staff.

Sources claimed the dispute stemmed from an unsettled financial issue involving N200,000, which quickly escalated into a shouting match.

The argument reportedly intensified when neither party was willing to back down, leading to pushing and chaos within the hotel premises.

Eyewitnesses further alleged that the situation worsened after others connected to the individuals involved joined the confrontation, turning the verbal exchange into a physical clash.

Security personnel and police officers were eventually called in to restore order, using teargas to disperse the crowd.

The incident comes shortly after Phyna returned to the public eye following a brief break to mourn the death of her sister, who died in an accident involving a Dangote truck.

Watch video:

https://x.com/i/status/1978198954014629890