The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to “disclose the exact amount of monthly operating expenses currently paid to and received by members of the National Assembly and provide details of the expenditure on these expenses”.

SERAP also called on them to “end the alleged practice of the National Assembly of setting its own salaries, allowances and running costs in line with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and international obligations.”

The organisation also called on them to “stop transferring running costs to MPs’ private accounts and to report any misuse or mismanagement of these funds to the anti-corruption authorities so that they can initiate the appropriate investigations and prosecutions if admissible evidence is available.”

In a letter dated August 17, 2024, signed by the Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization expressed concern over the determination of salaries, allowances and running costs by lawmakers, as well as the lack of transparency surrounding the expenditure of millions of naira on running costs.

“The oath of office enshrined in the Constitution requires lawmakers to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the amount of salaries, allowances and running costs they receive,” SERAP noted.

The letter states, among other things: “Paragraph N, Section 32(d) of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution clearly makes it an offence against the law for the National Assembly to determine its own salaries, allowances and running costs.”

“The alleged practice of MPs determining their own salaries, allowances and running costs is contrary to the oath of office enshrined in the Constitution and the objectives of the UN Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a party.”

SERAP urged swift action: “If we do not receive a response within seven days, SERAP will take legal action to compel you and other members of the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“Accounting for and reimbursing all misused or mismanaged operating costs would increase trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law,” SERAP argued.

They stressed that Nigeria’s international obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption require public officials, including lawmakers, to discharge their duties with integrity, honesty and responsibility.

“Nigerians have the right to scrutinise how their MPs spend public money and to expect honesty and conscientious work from them.”

“Allegations that MPs set their own salaries, allowances and running costs suggest that they are abusing their positions of trust. An end to this practice would strengthen public confidence in the integrity of the National Assembly and demonstrate its commitment to the public interest.”

SERAP also stressed that legislators must avoid inappropriate actions that abuse public trust, including setting their own salaries, allowances and running costs.

“The National Assembly must combat the misuse of its own expenditure if it is to effectively exercise its oversight functions and hold the government to account,” SERAP said.

Finally, they stressed that the legislature must assume responsibility in managing public funds in order to maintain public trust.

“Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations prohibits the deposit of private funds into a government bank account or the deposit of public funds into private accounts,” SERAP reminded lawmakers.

The Seventh Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution requires lawmakers to uphold the fundamental objectives and guidelines of state policy and to discharge their duties honestly and faithfully in the interest of the welfare and prosperity of Nigeria.

“Public office should serve the public interest, not private self-interest. Reports that MPs set their own salaries and running costs are self-dealing and detrimental to the public interest,” SERAP warned.

SERAP also referred to Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, which requires public institutions to eliminate corruption and abuse of power, and Section 16(2), which requires the country’s material resources to be used for the public good.

“According to our information, members of the National Assembly currently determine their own salaries, allowances and running costs, which are paid directly into their personal accounts,” SERAP said.

Senator Kawu Sumaila, who represents Kano South Senatorial District, recently disclosed that each senator earns at least 21 million naira monthly in running costs, salaries and allowances. He confirmed: “My monthly salary is less than 1 million naira and after deductions, it is just over 600,000 naira. However, each senator receives 21 million naira monthly in running costs.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recently reportedly claimed that parliamentarians set their own salaries and allowances, contradicting the recommendations of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).