Senators gang up against Kaduna lawmaker for exposing N13.5m 'illegal' allowance

dimeji akinloye

March 11, 2018 3:17 PM

The revelation outraged many of the lawmakers who have now ganged up against Sani, vowing to deal with him.

Senator

The money is said to be in addition to their legitimate salaries and allowances.

Speaking in an interview with TheNews, Sani revealed that he and his colleagues receive N13.5 million monthly as "running cost", aside from a N700,000 monthly consolidated salary and allowances which they also receive.

Some lawmakers who spoke anonymously to Premium Times said Sani's revelation has damaged the reputation of the federal legislature and that it may cause division between constituents and their representatives.

Some of the Senators and members of the House of Representatives are said to have initiated a take-down move against Sani already.

"He has brought his useless activism to the chamber creating the impression that we are all thieves without telling Nigerians details of what the money is used for. There are always ways of dealing with characters like that. Just wait and see", one of the aggrieved lawmakers was quoted as saying.

Sani's Punishment

It was gathered that the anti-Sani lawmakers are plotting to pressure the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to exclude Sani from subsequent 'secret meetings' of the Senate, especially those where finances might be discussed.

They might also recommend Sani to be probed by the Senate's ethics committee.

If the recommendation is adopted by the house, the committee would investigate Sani and recommend a punishment.

This is the first time a Senator would reveal the salaries and allowances the lawmakers earn since Nigerians have been clamouring for a cut in their jumbo pay.

The lawmakers have been rebuked for their exorbitant monthly pay while millions of Nigerians wallow in poverty.

If found guilty by the ethics committee, Sani faces up to six to 12 months suspension.

In March 2017, the committee recommended 12 months suspension for former Senate Leader, Ali Ndumewho was accused of alleged wrongful indictment.

ALSO READ: 5 things Shehu Sani wants you to know about what senators earn

Ndume had asked for Saraki to be investigated over the allegations that he ordered the importation of bulletproof range rover with fake documents and also demanded the investigation of Senator Dino Melayeover perjury allegations.

The suspension was later reduced to six months by the lawmakers.

In the same vein, a house of representatives members from Kano, Abdulmumin Jibrin, was suspended for 180 days for revealing what is today known as budget padding.

His suspension was recommended by the House Ethics Committee which also prescribed that Jibrin will also not be able to hold any position of responsibility for the span of the current National Assembly.

dimeji akinloye