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SERAP sues Akpabio over failure to recall Ningi, refer N3.7trn budget padding to EFCC, ICPC
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio over “the failure to refer the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, and to recall Senator Abdul Ningi who blew the whistle on the allegations.”
Mr Akpabio is sued for himself and on behalf of all members of Nigeria’s Senate.
It would be recalled that whistleblower Ningi last month was suspended for three months over his allegations that the 2024 budget was padded by over N3 trillion and that the country is operating two budgets.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/452/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to refer the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.”
SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to immediately take steps to ensure the reinstatement of whistleblower Abdul Ningi who was suspended from the Senate over his allegations that the lawmakers padded the 2024 budget by irregularly inserting projects worth N3.7 trillion.”
SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to put in place transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the trillions of Naira budgeted for constituency projects are not embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.”
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “Granting this application would serve the public interest, encourage whistleblowers to speak up, improve public services, and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.”
SERAP is arguing that, “Directing Mr Akpabio to refer these allegations to appropriate anticorruption agencies and to reinstate whistleblower Abdul Ningi would be entirely consistent and compatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “The allegations by Senator Ningi amount to public interest disclosures and can contribute to strengthening transparency and democratic accountability in the Senate in particular and the country as a whole.”
According to SERAP, “Suspension of Senator Ningi by the Senate followed a seriously flawed process and it amounts to retaliation.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Senator Ningi’s status as a whistleblower is not diminished even if the perceived threat to the public interest has not materialised, since he would seem to have reasonable grounds to believe in the accuracy of the allegations of budget padding and corruption in the Senate.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Mrs Adelanke Aremo, read in part: “It is in the public interest and the interest of justice to grant this application. No whistleblower should ever be penalised simply for making a public interest disclosure.”
“Directing Mr Akpabio to refer the allegations to appropriate anticorruption agencies would help to address the lingering problem of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects.
“Directing Mr Akpabio to refer the allegations to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would also ensure probity and accountability in the budget process.
“Investigating and prosecuting the allegations of budget padding and corruption would end the impunity of perpetrators. It would build trust in democratic institutions with the ultimate aim of strengthening the rule of law.
“Years of allegations of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects have contributed to widespread poverty, underdevelopment and lack of access to public goods and services.
“Allegations of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects have also continued to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens in several communities and the public interest.
“Combating budget padding would improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of ministries, departments and agencies to effectively and efficiently discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
“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.’
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the National Assembly including the Senate to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.
“Section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution and sections 13 and 18 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act constrain the ability of the National Assembly to unilaterally insert its own allocations in the budget without following the due process of law.
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources.
“Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the National Assembly including the Senate to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.
“Article 33 of the Convention requires government institutions including the Senate to ensure the protection of whistleblowers against any unjustified treatment. Granting this application would ensure that these commitments are fully upheld and respected.
“Senator Ningi is a whistleblower, who is protected under article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party. Senator Ningi is a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on alleged budget padding and corruption in the Senate in the context of carrying out his work as Senator.
“According to our information, Senator Abdul Ningi, the former Chairperson of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), recently told BBC Hausa that the lawmakers sought the service of a private auditor and discovered irregularities in the budget.
“Senator Ningi reportedly said, ‘For example, we had a budget of N28 trillion but after our thorough checks, we found out that it was a budget of N25 trillion. How and where did we get the additional N3 trillion from, what are we spending it for?.’
“According to BudgIT, a total of 7,447 projects culminating in N2.24tn were indiscriminately inserted in the 2024 budget by the National Assembly. 281 projects worth N491bn, and 3,706 projects within the range of N100–500m, worth 759bn were inserted in the budget.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
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Alake unveils gender strategy for mining, steel sector
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has unveiled a document for Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN) strategy document.
Speaking at the event, he described the strategy as a significant mile stone in the sector.
He said that the move was a demonstration of the commitment of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD)` and Ministry of Steel Development in fostering diversity.
He said that the strategy is aimed at promoting gender equality and women`s empowerment, adding that its focused on driving productivity for the nations` sustainable development.
“It also focuses on improving the opportunities for women to benefit from both sectors sustainably in policy, regulatory, operational, and commercial (large scale, medium scale, small scale, and artisanal levels), and value and supply chain roles.
“This strategy is not just a document but a call to action and a blueprint for all stakeholders to create a more inclusive and gender-balanced mining and steel sector.
“It provides a guideline and framework to guide both ministries, their agencies, and stakeholders to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment priorities in their policies, programmes, and initiatives, “ he said.
He acknowledged the indispensable contributions of women to the success and sustainability of the mining sector, saying that their talents, expertise, and perspectives are critical to the success and growth of the industry.
According to him, Nigeria is not immune from the biases perpetuated against women in these two sectors.
In addressing the situation, he said that the Federal Government has prioritised gender equity and female participation in its “Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Mining Industry.
He said as part of the efforts of MSMD and Ministry of Steel Development to implement the roadmap, the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MinDiver) engaged a consultancy to develop the gender strategy.
He said that to achieve the objectives of the strategy, its institutional capacity would be strengthened for effective gender mainstreaming.
He added that that women’s participation in leadership and governance roles within the mining sector and communities would be increased.
“Promoting women’s economic empowerment and rights and eliminating all barriers (structural and systemic) that hinder women’s meaningful participation, access and control over mining resources and benefits, “ he said.
The minister added that they were committed to building partnerships across a wide range of stakeholders in achieving the vision of the strategy.
He said that the WIMIN strategy was firmly rooted in the principles of equality, diversity, and empowerment, and a call to action for stakeholders mobilisation toward a more inclusive and gender-balanced industry.
Earlier in her remarks, the National President of WIMIN, Dr Janet Adeyemi, described the launch of the strategy as an opportunity to galvanise support and implement actions to address the entrenched gender disparities within the mining and steel sectors.
Represented by the National Secretary, Mrs Emily Ofodile, she said that women within these industries continue to encounter multifaceted barriers that hinder their full participation and advancement.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary of MSMD, Dr Mary Ogbe, urged, women to be change agents at all levels, and urged all organisations to have gender focal persons to help in coordinating all related matters.
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Sanwo-Olu to host justice reform summit on May 27, 28
The Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will host a Justice Reform Summit with the theme: “Enhancing The Administration of Justice For Economic Growth, Investment Protection And Security in Lagos State,” on May 27 and 28.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Titilayo ShittaBey-Jeje, Solicitor, General/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, on Wednesday.
ShittaBey -Jeje said that Sanwo-Olu would be the Chief Host at the summit which would take place at Marriott Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
She said the Chief Justice of Federation, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola would be the Chairman, while the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), would be the special guest of honour.
ShittaBey-Jeje said the Lagos State Government had became a pathfinder for justice reform following its various landmark and innovative achievements over the years.
She, however, noted that being the economic nerve centre of the country, there were real and new challenges to address.
ShittaBey-Jeje said the summit would explore diverse perspective towards effective and efficient administration of justice for economic growth and investment protection in the state and Nigeria at large.
She said the ministry had created an avenue for stakeholders and members of the public to express their views, observations and recommendations for the reform in order to gather insights from a wide spectrum of Nigerians.
“Therefore, the stakeholders and members of the public can send their contributions to [email protected], whatsapp no: 07032276146, facebook – @Lagosmoj, twitter- @Lagosmoj and instagram-@Lagosmoj,” she said.
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