Abuja, Sept. 17, 2023 – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued President Bola Tinubu for his failure to stop Nyesom Wike and seven other ministers from collecting retirement benefits from their states.
The other ministers are David Umahi, Badaru Abubakar, Bello Matawalle, Adegboyega Oyetola, Simon Lalong, Atiku Bagudu and Ibrahim Geidam.
The suit, number FHC/L/CS/1855/2023, was filed on Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos by SERAP lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo.
SERAP is seeking the following orders from the court:
“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.”
“An order 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.”
SERAP is arguing that: “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.”
SERAP is also arguing 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.”
SERAP 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.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing. (GBN)
