Social-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Federal Government and Attorney-General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for allegedly failing to recover over N40 billion perks from former governors, who are now lawmakers and ministers.
Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court, Lagos had, in November 2019, ordered the Federal Government to ensure the recovery.
She also directed Malami to challenge legality of states’ life pension laws, permitting ex-governors and others to perpetually draw from the coffer.
But the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has failed to implement the judgment.
The judge, during a valedictory court session in her honour, regretted that the ruling is in limbo.
SERAP, at the weekend, moved to enforce the judgment by filing Form 48 contempt suit at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
It said: “A certified true copy of the judgment of November 26, 2019 by Justice Oguntoyinbo has long been served on Mr. Malami.”
Form 48 reads: “Unless you obey orders of the court contained on the reverse side of this process, you shall be deemed to have disobeyed orders of the court and shall be liable to prison for contempt.”
However, in a statement, yesterday by deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said: “It’s unacceptable to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, for a ride. A democratic state, based on rule of law, cannot exist or function if the government routinely ignores and/or fails to abide by court orders.
“Despite the service of the certified true copy of the judgment on Attorney General of the Federation, the Buhari administration has failed and/or refused to obey it.
“While many Nigerian workers and pensioners have not been paid by state governors for several months and struggle to make ends meet, former governors continue to collect double emoluments and enjoy opulent lifestyles.”
The civil society organisation (CSO) had, in July 2017, requested Malami to institute a suit to challenge legality of state laws allowing ex-chief executives to enjoy life pensions, while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political offices, and recover same.
