The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Senator 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.”
In a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, today, SERAP said Akpabio is sued for himself and on behalf of all members of Nigeria’s Senate.
Ningi was suspended by his colleagues in the Senate last month 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 filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel 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 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 3.7 trillion naira.”