Senate President, Dogara sued over alleged N500bn running cost

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued Senate President, Dr Bukola Sakari and House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

The group charged the lawmakers over the sum of N500 billion which was allegedly spent as running cost by the National Assembly between 2006 and 2016.

SERAP is suing Saraki and Dogara for failing to give account of how the amount was spent and the monthly income and allowances of each Senator and member.

The group filed the case at the Federal High Court Ikoyi in line with the Freedom of Information Act.

SERAP argued that the information being requested does not fall within the types of information exempted from disclosure by the provisions of the FOI Act.

“The Defendants will not suffer any injury or prejudice if the information is released to the members of the public. It is in the interest of justice that the information be released,” the group said.

“Unless the reliefs sought herein are granted, the Defendants will continue to be in breach of the Freedom of Information Act, and other statutory responsibilities. Up till the time of filing this action the Defendants/Respondents have failed, neglected and/or refused to make available the information requested by SERAP.

“The particulars of facts of the failure, negligence and refusal are contained in the verifying affidavit in support of the application and shall be relied upon at the hearing of this application,” it added.

The N500 billion running cost allegation was made by suspended Rep, Abdulmumin Jibrin who accused Dogara and other principal officers of the House of padding the 2016 budget.