SERAP Takes Legal Action Against Senate President Akpabio Over Alleged Budget Padding

• SERAP initiates legal action against Senate President Akpabio for alleged failure to address N3.7 trillion budget padding
• The lawsuit demands proper investigation and reinstatement of whistleblower Senator Abdul Ningi, suspended after revealing budget irregularities

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal proceedings against Senate President Godswill Akpabio for allegedly failing to refer the purported N3.7 trillion budget padding to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for thorough investigation and potential prosecution. Additionally, SERAP demands the reinstatement of Senator Abdul Ningi, the whistleblower behind the revelation.

Senator Ningi was handed a three-month suspension following his disclosure regarding the alleged padding of the 2024 budget by an excess of N3 trillion.

In a suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/452/2024, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP has petitioned for “an order of mandamus” compelling Mr. Akpabio to take necessary actions to ensure the proper investigation and prosecution of those suspected to be involved in the N3.7 trillion budget padding.

Furthermore, SERAP seeks another “order of mandamus” to prompt Mr. Akpabio to promptly facilitate the reinstatement of whistleblower Abdul Ningi, who faced suspension from the Senate due to his allegations regarding the irregular insertion of projects worth N3.7 trillion into the 2024 budget.

In addition to these requests, SERAP is also pressing for “an order of mandamus” directing Mr. Akpabio to establish transparent and accountable mechanisms to prevent the embezzlement, misappropriation, or diversion of funds allocated for constituency projects, ensuring that such funds serve their intended purpose rather than ending up in private hands.