Nigerians hail court order mandating ex-governors, ex-ministers to refund pensions

In POLITICS, WORLD
December 5, 2019
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Nigerians have hailed the federal Lagos High court, Lagos Division order, mandating the federal to recover pensions and allowances paid to former and serving Nigerians ministers and senators and ex-governors. Justice Oguntoyinbo Oluremi Omowunmi gave the order on Wednesday, following the order of mandamus brought by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to the court.

Nigerians have hailed the federal Lagos High court, Lagos Division order, mandating the federal to recover pensions and allowances paid to former and serving Nigerians ministers and senators and ex-governors.

**FILE: FORMER NIGERIAN GOVERNORS, FORMER SENATORS AND FORMER MIMISTERS SERVING SENATORS TO REFUND LIFE PENSIONS**

Justice Oguntoyinbo Oluremi Omowunmi gave the order on Wednesday, following the order of mandamus brought by
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to the court.

A post by SERAP on Tweeter on Wednesday said: “We’ve obtained a landmark judgment from the federal high court ordering @NigeriaGov to recover life pensions collected by Saraki, Akpabio, others & directing the AGF to challenge the legality of states’ pension laws permitting former governors to collect such pensions”, sparked a spontaneous reaction from Nigerians on social media.

SERAP sued the federal government in 2017 over its “failure to stop former governors from receiving double pay and life pensions.

SERAP 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.

The court ordered Nigeria’s attorney-general Abubakar Malami to institute appropriate legal actions to challenge the legality of states’ laws permitting former governors, serving as senators and ministers to benefit emoluments while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political offices.

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.

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The court will continue hearing in the case in February 2020.

“We won’t rest until this judgment is fully enforced and ALL state governors follow the Zamfara state example by immediately abolishing pension laws in their states,” SERAP said on Wednesday.

The court adjourned till February 3, 2020, for a report of compliance with the judgement by the federal government.