The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against President Bola Tinubu for failing to prevent former governors, who are currently serving as ministers in his administration, from receiving life pensions and other retirement benefits from their respective states.
The ministers mentioned in the lawsuit include Badaru Abubakar (former governor of Jigawa State and Minister of Defence); Nyesom Wike (former governor of River State and FCT Minister); Bello Matawalle (former governor of Zamfara State and Minister of State for Defence); Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola (former governor of Osun State and Minister of Transportation); David Umahi (Minister of Works); Simon Bako Lalong (former governor of Plateau State and Minister of Labour and Employment); Atiku Bagudu (former governor of Kebbi State and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning); Ibrahim Geidam (former governor of Yobe State and Minister of Police Affairs).
SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to compel President Tinubu to instruct these former governors, now serving as ministers, to stop receiving pensions and retirement benefits from their states while they are in office.
The organization is also demanding that these ministers return any pensions and retirement benefits they have received since leaving office to the public treasury.
SERAP argues that the failure of President Tinubu to publicly instruct these former governors to stop collecting such benefits while serving as ministers violates his constitutional oath of office.
The organization contends that the appointment of these ministers who receive life pensions and retirement benefits is arbitrary and unlawful, and it calls on President Tinubu to stop this practice, which contradicts Nigeria’s Constitution and international legal obligations.
SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo, filed the suit on behalf of the organization, stating that the appointment of former governors receiving life pensions as ministers goes against the Nigerian Constitution and international legal obligations.
The suit seeks to ensure that the country’s wealth and resources are used for the benefit of vulnerable Nigerians rather than to satisfy the opulent lifestyles of a few politicians.
No date has been set for the hearing of the suit.
