By Nkechi Anyalewechi
A Federal High Court in Abuja on has granted leave to the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to file a suit seeking the downward review of the remuneration and allowances of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yomi Osinbajo, the 36 state governors.
The suit interestingly is seeking an upward review of the remuneration of judges.
The suit was brought listing the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission as defendants.
Justice Donatus Okoronwo granted the leave, and adjourned the suit to 2nd February 2022 for hearing of the motion on notice.
SERAP sought the leave of the court “to order the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to perform their statutory functions to review downward, the remuneration and allowances of the aforementioned political office holders.
SERAP in the suit is arguing that “slashing the jumbo pay for these high-ranking political office-holders would reduce the unfair pay disparity between political officer holders and judicial officers, address the persistent poor treatment of judges, and improve access of victims of corruption to justice and effective remedies.”
In the suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/658/2021, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the RMAFC to send its downward review of the remuneration and allowances of these high-ranking public office holders and recommendations to the National Assembly for appropriate remedial and legislative action, as provided for by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).”
