Alleged N21m running costs: SERAP demands probe into NASS ‘financial mismanagement’
…Tells NASS to ‘stop paying running costs into personal accounts’
A damning allegation of financial mismanagement has been levelled against the National Assembly (NASS) as a leading anti-corruption group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), demands a probe into the body’s monthly running costs.
According to SERAP, NASS members receive a staggering N21 million monthly as running costs, a claim that has sparked outrage and raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the nation’s lawmakers.
In a statement, SERAP expressed concern about the alleged financial impropriety and called on the authorities to investigate the matter, sparking a fresh debate about the financial dealings of the National Assembly.
SERAP has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to disclose the exact amount of monthly running costs allotted to members of the National Assembly.
SERAP also requested details of any spending on such running costs.
In a statement dated August 17, 2024, signed by Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group demanded that the NASS leadership provide the requested information.
This demand comes after the recent controversy surrounding the salary of Senators, with a former Senator claiming that Senators receive over N13 million monthly, which was disputed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
SERAP urged the NASS leadership to end the alleged practice of fixing their own salaries, allowances, and running costs, which is contrary to the Nigerian Constitution and international obligations.
The group also called for an end to the alleged practice of paying running costs into personal accounts of lawmakers and requested that any misuse or mismanagement of running costs be referred to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.
The statement emphasised that the public has the right to know how their funds are being utilised and that transparency and accountability are essential in governance.
SERAP threatened to take legal action if the requested information is not provided promptly.
The letter reads in part: “The provisions of paragraph N, section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution clearly make it unlawful for the National Assembly to fix its own salaries, allowances and running costs.
“The allegations that members of the National Assembly are fixing their own salaries, allowances and running costs are entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the constitutional oath of office and the object and purpose of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and other members of the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.
“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.
“By exercising strong and effective leadership in this matter, the National Assembly can show Nigerians that the legislative body is a proper and accountable watchdog that represents and protects the public interest, and is able to hold itself to account in the management of public resources,” it said.
The organisation noted that Senator Kawu Sumaila, representing Kano South Senatorial District, recently disclosed in an interview with BBC Hausa that each Nigerian senator earns at least N21 million monthly in running costs, salaries, and allowances.
It said, “Mr Sumaila reportedly said, ‘My monthly salary is less than N1 million. After deductions, the figure comes down to a little over N600,000. Given the increase effected, in the Senate, each senator gets N21 million every month as running cost.’
“According to reports, former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently alleged that the lawmakers fix their own salaries and allowances, contrary to the recommendation of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).”
