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.
SERAP’s lawsuit sought to stop the collection of both salaries and pensions by former governors who were serving as public officers.
It argued that collecting pensions as former governors and salaries while serving as public officers is a flagrant violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the public trust.
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The body said it was a fundamental breach of fiduciary duties for former governors to collect both salaries and pensions.
It stressed that the alleged collection by former governors of double emoluments was detrimental to the public interest.
The body has also lamented that it was absurd for the respondents to be “looking after themselves while over 137 million Nigerians were living in extreme poverty” which was worsened by the fuel subsidy removal.
The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2023 was filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
SERAP sought “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Akpabio, nine other senators, and Umahi to stop collecting both salaries and pensions and to return any pensions collected to their respective state treasuries.”
The respondents include 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.
However, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
