"SERAP Urges Tinubu: Follow Otti's Lead and Halt Ex-Governors' Pensions in Line with Court Ruling"

 

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a directive to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to adopt the commendable stance of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State by promptly adhering to a court ruling mandating the Federal Government to recover pensions received by former governors and their deputies. This call to action was articulated on Sunday in a statement released by SERAP's deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

Governor Otti notably signed into law a bill terminating the payment of pensions to ex-governors and their deputies. In response to this development, SERAP emphasized the significance of Tinubu's administration abiding by a court judgment dated November 26, 2019, which was delivered by Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo. This judgment specifically ordered former governors and their deputies to reimburse pensions previously disbursed to them.

Justice Oguntoyinbo further granted an "ORDER of mandamus" directing the Attorney General to initiate legal proceedings promptly to challenge the legality of state laws permitting former governors, who now hold positions as senators or ministers, to receive governors' emoluments while concurrently receiving regular salaries and allowances in their new political capacities. The court unequivocally stated that the practice of receiving double emoluments is unacceptable, unconstitutional, and illegal.

In its statement, SERAP urged Tinubu's government to emulate Governor Otti's proactive approach by promptly complying with the court's judgment. The organization underscored the necessity of immediate adherence to the ruling, citing the failure of former President Muhammadu Buhari to do so. Failure to promptly enforce the judgment, according to SERAP, would enable former governors and their deputies, including those presently serving as ministers in Tinubu's administration and members of the National Assembly, to evade accountability for their actions.

Meanwhile, amid the controversy surrounding the award of a N40 billion meter contract to a foreign firm, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has affirmed the need to engage local manufacturers. This development comes amidst ongoing discussions and concerns regarding the allocation of contracts to foreign entities over domestic suppliers.