General
Lawmakers Must Not Spend N110bn on Cars, Palliatives—SERAP
By Adedapo Adesanya
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has advised the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, to halt plans to spend N40 billion on 465 exotic and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials and N70 billion as palliatives for new members.
In the letter dated July 15, 2023, signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “This travesty and apparent conflicts of interest and self-dealing by members of the National Assembly must stop.”
SERAP also urged them to “repeal the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Act to reduce the budget for the National Assembly by N110 billion, reflect the current economic realities in the country and address the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on the over 137 million poor Nigerians.”
It asked the parliament to “request President Bola Tinubu to present a fresh supplementary appropriation bill, to redirect the N110 billion to address the situation of the over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, for the approval of the National Assembly.”
“While N70 billion ‘support allowance’ is budgeted for 306 new lawmakers, only N500 billion worth of palliatives is budgeted for 12 million poor Nigerians. N40 billion is also allocated to buy 465 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and bulletproof cars for members and principal officials,” the group stated.
SERAP said, “It is a fundamental breach of their fiduciary duties for members of the National Assembly to arbitrarily increase their own budget and to use the budget as a tool to satisfy the lifestyle of lawmakers.”
“It is a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office for members of the National Assembly to unjustifiably increase their own budget at a time when over 137 million poor Nigerians are living in extreme poverty exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidy.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.
“Rather than exercising their constitutional and oversight functions to pursue the public interest by considering bills to improve the conditions of the over 137 million poor Nigerians who are facing the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy, the lawmakers seem to be looking after themselves.
“According to reports, no fewer than 107 units of the 2023 model of the Toyota Landcruiser and 358 units of the 2023 model of Toyota Prado would be bought for the use of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.
“The planned purchase is different from the official bulletproof vehicles expected to be purchased for the four presiding officers of the National Assembly.
“The proposed spending of N110 billion by members of the National Assembly is apparently on top of the N281 billion already provided for the lawmakers in the 2023 National Assembly budget. The proposed spending is also different from the N30.17 billion budgeted for the ‘inauguration expenses’ for new members.
“SERAP is concerned that the budget for the National Assembly may further be increased as members are reportedly demanding an upward review of their salaries and allowances purportedly to offset the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy.
“Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] provides that, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“Under Section 16(1)(a)(b), the National Assembly has the obligations to ‘harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy’, and to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.’
“Section 18 of the Constitution of Nigeria provides, among others, that: ‘Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels. Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy, and to this end, Government shall provide (a) free, compulsory, and universal primary education.
“The Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act also provides in Section 2(1) that, ‘Every Government in Nigeria shall provide free, compulsory and Universal basic education for every child of primary and junior secondary, school-age,” it said.
It warned that “The proposed spending of N110 billion by members of the National Assembly is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.
“Nigerians have a right to honest and faithful performance by their public officials, including lawmakers, as public officials owe a fiduciary duty to the general citizenry.
“Cutting the N110 billion from the budget of the National Assembly would be entirely consistent with your constitutional oath of office, and the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution, as it would promote efficient, honest, and legal spending of public money.
“The problem of out-of-school children has continued to have catastrophic effects on the lives of millions of children, their families, and communities.
“By being out of school, these Nigerian children have been exposed to real danger, violence, and even untimely death. Redirecting the proposed spending of N110 billion to address the situation of over 20 million out-of-school children across the country would improve access of Nigerian children to quality education.
“Education is both a human right in itself and an indispensable means of realizing other human rights. As an empowerment right, education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalized adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities.
“Under international law, states are required to progressively implement socio-economic rights, including the right to quality education commensurate with the level of resources available. Gross misallocation of resources to the detriment of the enjoyment of the right to quality education can constitute a human rights violation.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Lagos-based socialite and chief executive of Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, Ms Aisha Achimugu, has denied reports that $13 million was discovered in her residence, describing the claim as inaccurate and misleading.
Ms Achimugu denied the claims during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today late on Monday, where she addressed allegations surrounding a raid on her home by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Addressing the widely circulated claim, Ms Achimugu insisted that no such sum was recovered from her residence.
“Let me also correct an impression that 13 million dollars was not found in my house when my house was raided. And let me also correct that what is published on the website of EFCC is a certain state. I want to believe that it is not Lagos state because the state was not clear.
“So, it’s what is out there. So I won’t also entertain that it’s a Lagos state because that hasn’t been thrown at me. My house was raided, yes, but only $50,000 and 13 million naira belonging to my mom were found in my house and then again, my personal belongings. I don’t know where Nigerians got the impression that I had 13 million dollars in my house. I’m not a bank, so I won’t keep 13 million dollars in my house,” she stated.
She, however, declined to comment extensively on the matter, citing ongoing legal proceedings, but explained that the foreign currency in her possession was kept for practical reasons, noting that her children study abroad.
“It is important to have some foreign currency available for emergencies,” she said.
Speaking on the source of her wealth, Ms Achimugu maintained that her financial success is rooted in legitimate business ventures.
She disclosed that her company participated in oil block bidding rounds between 2022 and 2024 and emerged successful through what she described as a transparent process. Achimugu also dismissed suggestions that her success is tied to political connections.
Recall that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to the Lagos socialite in March.
Justice Nwite had, on August 22, 2025, granted the anti-graft agency’s motion ex parte for an interim order forfeiting the sum of $13 million linked to Oceangate Ltd to the Federal Government over allegations that the fund was proceeds of unlawful activity.
The judge had then directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested people to show cause within 14 days why the fund should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
In 2024, the businesswoman gained significant media attention for a seven-day birthday celebration in Grenada, which was attended by high-profile guests, reportedly including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The socialite also defended her widely publicised birthday celebration, noting that it had been “planned for 10 years” and was not funded with any money under investigation.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has been “ordered to resign on health grounds” have been debunked.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, in a statement on Monday night, described the reports, which first emanated from Sahara Reporters, as false.
It was alleged that Mr Sanwo-Olu was asked to leave his position to allow his deputy, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, to take over.
This came shortly after the Governor endorsed Mr Hamzat as his successor after consultations with stakeholders in the state.
The political calculation is that if the deputy governor is allowed to finish his boss’ term, he will most likely be eligible to run only for a single term from 2027 to 2031.
In the statement yesterday, Mr Akosile said nobody has asked the Lagos Governor to resign, describing it as “another fake news, which has become a pattern of Sahara Reporters.”
According to him, Governor Sanwo-Olu remains in good health, of sound mind, and is actively discharging his duties as Governor of Lagos State.
He explained that the clarification was issued “to prevent the public from being misled by deliberate falsehoods. We would ordinarily ignore such baseless reports, but the need to reassure Lagosians makes this response necessary.”
The governor’s aide advised the public to disregard the story and treat it as fake news because the platform “has a track record of publishing disinformation.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has endorsed his deputy, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election, under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Hamzat on Monday declared his intention to run for governor during a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, attended by members of the State Executive Council, party leaders and members of the Governor’s Advisory Council.
Among those present were former Minister of State for Defence, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro, and former senator, Mr Ganiyu Solomon.
Mr Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as a consensus decision reached by stakeholders, saying his deputy possesses the experience and competence to lead the state.
“We just received Mr Deputy, who had come with a very powerful delegation of our leaders in the state to inform us of his intention to contest for the seat of the governorship position of the state,” the governor said.
“It was unanimous with all of us to say that Mr Deputy Governor is a man who is fit and well-prepared for this job. He is a man who knows where all the rooms in the house are,” he added.
The governor cited Mr Hamzat’s record in office and their working relationship over the past seven years as reasons for his support, describing him as loyal, committed and prepared for leadership.
“This is a deputy governor that is worth a governor from day one; this is a man that has been built for this job, and we believe that he deserves to be given a chance to go and run this state,” he emphasised.
Mr Sanwo-Olu also linked the political development to President Bola Tinubu’s longstanding influence in Lagos politics.
“We thank our father, our leader, Mr President, who saw the vision… that long run is what is already being manifested here today,” he noted.
He characterised the meeting as a family-style consultation involving party stakeholders and government officials, saying there was broad agreement in support of Mr Hamzat’s aspiration.
“It’s been a very warm family meeting, and at the end of the day, it was unanimous that Mr Deputy Governor is fit, ready, well baked… for this job,” he added.
The endorsement comes more than a year before party primaries are expected. However, political analysts say it suggests early alignment for the ruling party in the commercial capital.
Mr Hamzat is a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in the state and a two-term deputy governor.
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