WHERE'S THE NATION'S WEALTH???
WHERE'S THE NATION'S WEALTH???
It is now illegal for senators, ministers to earn pensions as ex-governors - Court declares
7 hours ago
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by Wale Akinola
- The court has banned senators and ministers from collecting pensions as former governors
- The former governors, who are now senators, have also been asked to refund pensions they collected as ex-chief executive officers of their respective states
- Amosun, Okorocha, Fashola are among those that would be affected
It is now illegal for the former governors who are now elected senators or ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to collect pensions as ex-chief executive officers of their respective states.
The Cable reports that a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi area of Lagos has asked the federal government to recover pensions and allowances received by former and serving senators as ex-governors.
Legit.ng gathered that the online medium said the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) disclosed the ”landmark judgement” in a tweet on Wednesday, December 3.
It would be recalled that the group had in 2017 sued the federal government over its “failure to stop former governors from receiving double pay and life pensions.”
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The group also sued the government for failing to seek the recovery of over “N40bn unduly received by the former governors” who are now serving senators and ministers.
According to the report, other individuals named by SERAP as beneficiaries of this policy are: Rabiu Kwankwaso, Theodore Orji, Abdullahi Adamu, Sam Egwu, Shaaba Lafiagi, Joshua Dariye, Jonah Jang, Ahmed Sani Yarima, Danjuma Goje, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Adamu Aliero, George Akume, Biodun Olujimi, Enyinaya Harcourt Abaribe, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Chris Ngige and Babatunde Fashola.
The court made an order directing Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation, to institute appropriate legal actions to challenge the legality of states’ laws permitting former governors, who are now senators and ministers to enjoy governors’ emoluments while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political offices.
The court adjourned till February 3, 2020, for a report of compliance with the judgement by the federal government.
SERAP said it would not relent until the judgement is fully enforced and all state governors abolish the life pension law in their states.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara state, alleged that his predecessor, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, paid himself a whopping N360 million from the state's pension funds while retirees were made to battle the consequences.
Source: Legit.ng