SERAP Drags Akpabio To Court For Failure Over Ningi.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has dragged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to court over the failure to refer the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, and to recall Senator Abdul Ningi who blew the whistle on the allegations.

The suit which was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare in a statement issued by said, the organization sued Akpabio for himself and on behalf of all members of Nigeria’s Senate.

The suit said, it is in the public interest and the interest of justice to grant this application, adding that, an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr. Akpabio to refer the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators has been established.

The organisation also said, granting this application would serve the public interest, encourage whistleblowers to speak up, improve public services, and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

Akpabio’s counsel, Umeh Kalu (SAN), said, the decision and resolution to suspend Ningi was that of the Senate sitting in plenary and not that of his client, Akpabio, stressing that, the suspension of Senator Ningi by the Senate followed a seriously flawed process and it amounts to retaliation.