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Lawmakers jumbo pay: SERAP threatens Akpabio, Abbas with legal action
Lawmakers jumbo pay: SERAP threatens Akpabio, Abbas with legal action
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) may be heading for the court over N21 million reportedly being paid to each senator monthly as a running cost.
Every member of the House of Representatives is believed to be taking an amount to close to that figure every month as a running cost.
SERAP has therefore called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to disclose the exact amounts of the monthly running costs currently received by members of the National Assembly.
SERAP stressed the need to end the alleged practice of the National Assembly setting its salaries, allowances, and running costs.
It argued that the practice contradicts the Nigerian Constitution and international obligations.
SERAP called for an end to depositing running costs directly into lawmakers’ personal accounts.
It recommended that appropriate anti-corruption agencies should investigate any misuse or mismanagement of these funds.
This is contained in a letter dated August 17, 2024, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The organization expressed concern over the lawmakers’ practice of determining their own compensation and the lack of transparency surrounding the expenditure of millions of naira in running costs.
SERAP pointed out that the constitutional oath of office requires lawmakers to ensure transparency and accountability in disclosing the exact amounts they receive as salaries, allowances, and running costs.
The organization highlighted that paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution makes it unlawful for the National Assembly to set its own compensation.
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SERAP warned that if no action was taken within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter, the organization would pursue legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.
The group also stressed that accounting for and returning any misused or mismanaged running costs would help build public trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law. Furthermore, it would enhance lawmakers’ ability to fulfill their constitutional and statutory responsibilities effectively.
SERAP cited the UN Convention against Corruption, which requires public officials to promote integrity, honesty, and responsibility in managing public resources. The organization emphasized that Nigerians have the right to scrutinize how their lawmakers spend tax money and that lawmakers should act in the public interest rather than for personal gain.
The letter also referenced a recent disclosure by Senator Kawu Sumaila, who revealed that each Nigerian senator receives at least N21 million monthly in running costs, salaries, and allowances. SERAP mentioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s allegation that lawmakers set their own salaries and allowances, contrary to the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC) recommendations.
SERAP called on the National Assembly to fulfill its constitutional responsibility and curb abuse in its spending.
Lawmakers jumbo pay: SERAP threatens Akpabio, Abbas with legal action
News
Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport
Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport
Nigerian deportees from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrived in the country, as revealed by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The deportees, numbering 400, were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday.
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Sharing information about the arrival on X, the aforementioned news platform penned: “Four hundred Nigerians, including 90 females and 310 males, have been deported from the United Arab Emirates back to Nigeria.
“They were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other stakeholders.”
Nigerian deportees from UAE arrive in Abuja airport
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Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace
Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently visited King Charles at Buckingham Palace, aiming to reinforce diplomatic ties and partnerships between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to presidential aide Segun Dada, the discussions centered on deepening the long-standing relationship between both nations.
This visit marks the second time President Tinubu and King Charles have met, following their initial encounter in November 2023 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai, UAE.
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While specific details of their discussions were not disclosed, the ongoing engagement between Nigeria and the UK underscores shared interests in addressing global challenges and fostering economic development.
This high-level interaction reflects the importance both countries place on collaboration in areas such as trade, climate action, and international diplomacy.
Tinubu visits King Charles at Buckingham Palace
News
Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US
Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US
A Nigerian citizen, has been found guilty of aiding in an attempt to defraud a North Dakota law firm through false digital transfers. According to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota, between November and December of 2020, Christopher Agbaje, along with others, purported to be a business owner in a legal dispute with a Bismarck company, and entered into a fake attorney-client relationship with the firm. After a series of false statements and promises, the firm received a parcel containing a fraudulent Citibank check payable in the amount of $198,850.00, which was deposited in their bank account. At the purported business owner’s request, the firm then sent a $198,336.68 wire transfer to Agbaje’s business partner.
After the transfer, Agbaje directed his partner to initiate a fake $180,000 international transfer to conceal the money’s location, ownership, and control. Upon hearing that law enforcement officers were actively conducting a fraud investigation on the transfer, he reportedly instructed his business partner to “gain leverage”, “press on”, and “claim naivety.”
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Agbaje was originally extradited from the United Kingdom to North Dakota in February 2024, where he faced five different charges. While he was cleared of Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud in May, the suspect was also found guilty of Money Laundering, Aiding and Abetting Wire Fraud, and Aiding and Abetting Mail Fraud.On September 11, Agbaje was sentenced to 142 months in prison, and must pay the firm $188,935.74 in restitution.“This strong sentence shows that international fraudsters cannot hide from justice,” United States Attorney Mac Schneider said. “When North Dakotans are the victims of fraud, our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will work internationally to hold defendants accountable in a federal courtroom in Bismarck or Fargo.”
“Today’s sentencing demonstrates that no fraud scheme is beyond the reach of justice, no matter its complexity or scope,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Those who engage in fraudulent schemes will be met with swift and decisive action. The FBI will continue to work with partners across the globe to protect the financial security of the American people from those who seek to exploit it.”
Nigerian man bags 12 years jail for $200K fraud in US
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