The Socio–Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a case in court against President Bola Tinubu for his failure to stop the former governors who are now serving as ministers in his administration from collecting life pensions and other ‘retirement benefits’ from their states while they serve as ministers.
The ministers mentioned in the suit are Badaru Abubakar (former governor of Jigawa State and minister of defence); Nyesom Wike (former governor of Rivers State now serving as FCT Minister), Bello Matawalle (former governor of Zamfara State and minister of state for defence); Adegboyega Oyetola (former governor of Osun State and minister of transportation); David Umahi (ex-governor of Ebonyi state and minister of works), Simon 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); and Ibrahim Geidam (former governor of Yole State and minister of police of affairs.
The ministers are to be joined in the suit as defendants.
In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1855/2023 filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel the president to instruct the former governors who are now serving as ministers to stop collecting life pension, and other ‘retirement benefits’ from their respective states.
“An order of mandamus to direct and compel President Tinubu to instruct the former governors who are now serving as ministers to forthwith return any pensions and ‘retirement benefits’ collected by them since leaving office to the public treasury.
“A declaration that the failure by President Tinubu to publicly instruct former governors who are now serving as ministers to stop collecting life pensions, exotic cars, and other ‘retirement benefits’ from their states while serving as ministers is a violation of his constitutional oath of office.”
SERAP is contending that “Compelling and directing President Tinubu to stop the former governors from collecting any ‘retirement benefits’ while serving as ministers would serve the public interest, especially given the current grave economic realities in the country.
“The appointment of those who collect life pensions and other ‘retirement benefits’ as ministers is an arbitrary and unlawful exercise of discretion and presidential power of appointment.”
The organisation stated that while many pensioners are not paid their pensions, former governors serving as ministers get paid huge severance benefits upon leaving office, and are poised to enjoy double emoluments on top of the opulence of political office holders.
It is also arguing that the Tinubu government has constitutional and international legal obligations to stop the former governors from collecting any ‘retirement benefits while serving as ministers.
The suit reads in part: “The appointment of former governors who collect life pensions while serving as ministers is implicitly forbidden by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 and the country’s international legal obligations.
“Constitutional oath of office requires public officials to abstain from all improper acts, including collecting ‘retirement benefits’ while serving as ministers. This is clearly inconsistent with the public trust and the overall objectives of the Constitution. A false oath lacks truth and justice. The oath statements require the oath takers to commit to uphold and defend the Constitution.
“Stopping the former governors from collecting double emoluments would ensure that the country’s wealth and resources are used for the common good and benefit of the socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians rather than to satisfy the opulent lifestyle of a few politicians.
“Compelling President Tinubu to stop the former governors from collecting any ‘retirement benefits’ would ensure that the exercise of presidential power of appointment is entirely consistent with requirements of the Nigerian Constitution and the fundamental principles of integrity and honesty.”
No date was fixed for the hearing of the suit.
