September 17, (THEWILL) – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged President Bola Tinubu before the Federal High Court in Lagos, over his failure to stop eight of his Ministers from collecting retirement benefits as governors.
The former governors, who are now serving Ministers in President Tinubu’s administration are Nyesom Wike (former governor of River State and FCT Minister); Bello Matawalle (former governor of Zamfara State and Minister of State for Defence); Badaru Abubakar (former governor of Jigawa State and Minister of Defence); Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola (former governor of Osun State and Minister of Transportation); and David Umahi (former governor of Ebonyi State Minister of Works).
Others are 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); and Ibrahim Geidam (former governor of Yobe State and Minister of Police of Affairs.
In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1855/2023 filed last Friday, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Tinubu 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, in a supportive affidavit, argued 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 Tinubu Government has constitutional and international legal obligations to stop the former governors from collecting any ‘retirement benefits while serving as ministers.”
According to SERAP, “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.”
The suit was filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo.
Joined as defendants are eight other Ministers including Wike, Umahi, Badaru Abubakar, Bello Matawalle, Adegboyega Oyetola, Simon Lalong, Atiku Bagudu and Ibrahim Geidam.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
