Saturday, January 16

Tag: Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project

SERAP Asks Buhari To Stop Governors From Borrowing ₦17Trn From Pension Funds
7Dec By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Asks Buhari To Stop Governors From Borrowing ₦17Trn From Pension Funds

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to use his “good offices and leadership position to urgently instruct the Director-General and Board of the National Pension Commission [NPC] to use their statutory powers to stop the 36 state governors from borrowing and/or withdrawing N17 trillion from the pension funds purportedly for ‘infrastructural development.’” The governors last week reportedly proposed to borrow around N17 trillion from the pension funds after receiving a briefing from the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, who is the Chairman of the National Economic Council Ad Hoc Committee on Leveraging Portion of Accumulated Pension Funds for Investment in the Nigeria Sovereign Investment...
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SERAP Condemns Arbitrary Electricity Tariff, Fuel Price Hike
9Sep By dthataNo Comments
News

SERAP Condemns Arbitrary Electricity Tariff, Fuel Price Hike

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned “the patently unfair and arbitrary hike in electricity tariff and fuel price by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. This is unjust to many people living in extreme poverty, and entirely incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international human rights obligations.” Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP deputy director said in a statement today: “The hike will endanger lives and increase inequality and poverty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. SERAP will challenge this travesty in court if the Federal Government does not immediately drop these retrogressive measures against the Nigerian people.” “Specifically, the increase in electricity tariff and fuel price clearly vi...
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We Have Spent N31 Billion To Fight COVID-19 In Nigeria — Ahmed Idris
7Sep By dthataNo Comments
Politics

We Have Spent N31 Billion To Fight COVID-19 In Nigeria — Ahmed Idris

The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed that it “spent N30,540,563,571.09, representing 84% of the N36.3 billon public funds and donations received to respond to COVID-19 between 1st April, 2020 and 31st July, 2020, leaving the balance of N5.9 billion.” The Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, stated this in response to the Freedom of Information request dated August 10, 2020, and sent to him by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Connected Development (CODE). In reply to Mr Idris dated September 4, 2020, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare and CODE Chief Executive Hamzat Lawal, the organizations said: “We note among others that the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 spent N22 billion, and 36 states spent N7 billion t...
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SERAP Sues Buhari Over Failure To Publish Details Of ₦800 Billion Recovered Loot
30Aug By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Sues Buhari Over Failure To Publish Details Of ₦800 Billion Recovered Loot

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari over failure to “disclose information and documents relating to the names of people from whom N800 billion in looted public funds have been recovered, specific dates of the recovery, and details of projects on which the money has been spent.” The President had in paragraph 78 of his speech to mark the occasion of the Democracy Day on June 12, 2020, stated that: “the government has recovered looted funds in excess of N800 billion. These monies are being ploughed into development and infrastructure projects.” In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1064/2020 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order for leave to apply for judicial review and a...
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SERAP Condemns Attacks On Revolution Now Protesters
5Aug By dthataNo Comments
News

SERAP Condemns Attacks On Revolution Now Protesters

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has “strongly condemned reported violent attacks on #RevolutionNow protesters in Abuja, Osogbo and other parts of the country. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari must end the use of excessive force against protesters, and allow people to peacefully exercise their human rights.” The Department of State Services today reportedly arrested Olawale Bakare and six other #RevolutionNow protesters wearing orange-coloured caps around Olaiya area of Osogbo, Osun State capital. Several protesters were also arrested by the police and the Nigerian Army in the Abuja metropolis. In a statement today by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “By failing to adequately protect protesters from violent atta...
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SERAP Seeks Details Of ₦800 Billion Recovered Loot
14Jun By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Seeks Details Of ₦800 Billion Recovered Loot

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent a Freedom of Information Act (FoI) request to President Muhammadu Buhari asking him “to direct Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to publish a comprehensive list of names of people from whom N800 billion in looted funds have been recovered, the details of spending of the money and the dates of the recovery.” SERAP also urged the president to: “direct appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly, thoroughly and transparently investigate allegations that payments totalling N51 billion were made into individual accounts in 2019.” In the letter dated 13 June, 2020 and signed by SERAP deputy dire...
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SERAP Asks Appeal Court To Order Release Of Asset Declarations Of Buhari, VP Osinbajo, Others
7Jun By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Asks Appeal Court To Order Release Of Asset Declarations Of Buhari, VP Osinbajo, Others

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos to set aside a judgment of a Federal High Court and to order public disclosure of asset declaration details submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, governors and their deputies and other politicians since 1999.” The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on Monday, May 11, 2020, dismissed the application filed by SERAP seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel the CCB to make available to the public specific details of asset declarations submitted to it by successive presidents, vice-presidents, senate presidents, speakers of House of Representatives, state governors and their deputies since 199...
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SERAP Drags Buhari, NASS To UN Over Cuts In Health, UBE Budgets
4Jun By dthataNo Comments
News

SERAP Drags Buhari, NASS To UN Over Cuts In Health, UBE Budgets

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an urgent appeal to three UN special rapporteurs urging them to use their “mandates to urgently request the Nigerian government and the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately reverse the unlawful, disproportionate and discriminatory budget cuts to education and healthcare, and to stop the authorities from spending N27bn to renovate the National Assembly complex.” The special rapporteurs are: Ms. Koumbou Boly Barry, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Mr. Dainius Puras, Special Rapporteur on the right to health; and Mr. Olivier De Schutter, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. In the revised 2020 budget approved yesterday, the Federal Government reportedly gave the National A...
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Copy ‘Namibia Example’, Ban Car Perks For Presidency, Ministers – SERAP To Buhari
17May By dthataNo Comments
News

Copy ‘Namibia Example’, Ban Car Perks For Presidency, Ministers – SERAP To Buhari

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to use his “leadership position to follow the ‘Namibia example’ by urgently issuing an executive order to ban the purchase of new cars by the presidency, and all ministers for the remainder of the tenure of your administration, that is, until May 2023.” SERAP urged him to “use the savings from this ban to support students of tertiary institutions across the country to reduce the impact of COVID-19 and the lockdown on them and their parents, and to improve access to healthcare for all Nigerians. We also urge you to encourage the National Assembly and governors to ban the purchase of new cars and to use the savings to pay workers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitleme...
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COVID-19: SERAP Asks Buhari To Use Confiscated Stolen Assets As Isolation Centre
3May By dthataNo Comments
Politics

COVID-19: SERAP Asks Buhari To Use Confiscated Stolen Assets As Isolation Centre

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an urgent appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to “urgently instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abukabar Malami, SAN to work with appropriate ministries and agencies to identify, publish and use confiscated stolen assets as isolation centres.” SERAP said: “Using confiscated assets as isolation centres would provide safe and enabling environments for the treatment and care of people, improve the authorities’ ability to respond to COVID-19, reduce the risks to Nigerians and to public health.” The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire had last week reportedly begged Nigerians to donate and temporarily make their buildings available as isolation centres. According to hi...
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SERAP Asks Lawan, Gbaja To Give ₦37 Billion NASS Renovation Fund To States
12Apr By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Asks Lawan, Gbaja To Give ₦37 Billion NASS Renovation Fund To States

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an urgent appeal to the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila urging them to “immediately make a public commitment to redirect the N37 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly complex to give N1 billion to each of the 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as COVID-19 direct reliefs and benefits to the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people.” SERAP said: “We applaud the patriotic steps and voluntary contributions already made by the National Assembly towards fighting COVID-19 in the country. We now urge you to make major strides to national efforts to deal with one of the greatest threats facing the country by immediately redir...
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Nigerians Sue Gbajabiamila, House Of Reps Members Over Plan To Spend N5bn On 400 Cars
24Feb By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Nigerians Sue Gbajabiamila, House Of Reps Members Over Plan To Spend N5bn On 400 Cars

Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives and all members have been sued by some concerned Nigerians for wanting to spend N5billion to buy 400 exotic cars for principal officers and members. Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 192 concerned Nigerians filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to restrain Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives and all members from spending N5billion to buy 400 exotic cars for principal officers and members. The lawsuit also seeks the a court order to and stop the National Assembly Service Commission from releasing any public funds to the House of Representatives to buy 400 Toyota Camry 2020 model cars estimated to cost $35,130 per car. The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/205/2020 ...
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SERAP Gives FG 7 Days To Disclose Spending Of Recovered Abacha Loot Since 1999
17Feb By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Gives FG 7 Days To Disclose Spending Of Recovered Abacha Loot Since 1999

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Federal Government to “disclose within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of our Freedom of Information requests the exact amount of public funds stolen by a former military head of state, Sani Abacha and details of spending of about $5 billion recovered loot since the return of democracy in 1999.” SERAP is also asking the Federal Government to “disclose details of projects executed with the Abacha loot and their locations, details of companies and contractors involved in the execution of any such projects, details of all the agreements on the loot, the roles played by the World Bank and other actors, as well as the implementation status of all projects since 1999.” In two Freedom of Information requests...
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SERAP Drags FG, Cross River To ECOWAS Court Over Agba Jalingo’s Trial
9Feb By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Drags FG, Cross River To ECOWAS Court Over Agba Jalingo’s Trial

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the government of Nigeria and Cross River state government of governor Ben Ayade to ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja “over the prolonged, arbitrary detention; unfair prosecution; persecution, and sham trial of journalist Agba Jalingo.” Jalingo, who is the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, was arrested on August 22 over a report alleging that Mr Ayade diverted N500 million belonging to the state. In the suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/10/2020 filed last week at the ECOWAS Court, SERAP is arguing that: “The sole objective of the government of Nigeria and the Cross River state government of governor Ben Ayade is to perpetually keep Agba Jalingo in arbitrary detention and to silence him simply for expressing critical views and ...
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SERAP Asks EFCC To Release Shehu Sani
10Jan By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Asks EFCC To Release Shehu Sani

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately release former Kaduna lawmaker, Shehu Sani. We reports that Operatives of EFCC on Thursday reportedly invaded the Abuja residence of Senator Shehu Sani over alleged extortion. It was gathered that the EFCC officials stormed the apartment in Wuse, Abuja at about 3:30pm on Wednesday to look for incriminating evidence against the former Kaduna senator. This is following arrest of Sani last week for alleged extortion of $20,000 from the owner of ASD Motors. The government critic, who represented Kaduna central senatorial district between 2015 and 2019, allegedly collected money from Sani Dauda, owner of ASD Motors, promising to pass it on t...
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You Can’t Force Buhari To Make Public His Assets Second Time – Femi Adesina
7Jan By dthataNo Comments
Politics

You Can’t Force Buhari To Make Public His Assets Second Time – Femi Adesina

A presidential spokesperson on Tuesday said there was no law that mandates President Muhammadu Buhari to declare his assets publicly. The presidency was reacting to the demand of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) which urged Mr Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the 36 state governors to make their assets public in seven days. SERAP, in its statement on Sunday, argued that the non-disclosure by the officials “seriously undermines the effectiveness and integrity of the constitutional and statutory obligations to submit asset declarations.” ‘Not true’ Meanwhile, the presidency through Femi Adesina, spokesperson to Mr Buhari, while reacting on Monday during Channels TV Politics Today, said no law compelled his principal to make public his assets...
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SERAP Gives Buhari, Osinbajo, Governors 7-Day Ultimatum To Publish Assets
6Jan By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Gives Buhari, Osinbajo, Governors 7-Day Ultimatum To Publish Assets

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent Freedom of Information requests to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, 36 state governors and their deputies, urging them to use their good offices to: “provide information on summary of the assets, specifically property and income, contained in your asset declaration forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) since your assumption of office.” SERAP is also asking them to: “clarify within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, if you have had any reason to review and update the asset declarations submitted to the CCB, and to provide the summary of any such review; failing which we will take all appropriate legal action to compel you to comply with our request....
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SERAP, Others Ask Court To Stop Spending Of ‘N37bn On NASS Renovation’
29Dec By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP, Others Ask Court To Stop Spending Of ‘N37bn On NASS Renovation’

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), BudgIT, Enough is Enough (EiE) and 583 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court, Abuja to “restrain and stop President Muhammadu Buhari and Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning from releasing N37 billion allocated for the renovation of the National Assembly complex to the Federal Capital Development Agency and the National Assembly until an impact assessment of the spending is carried out.” The groups are also seeking a court order to “restrain, prevent and stop the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and the Federal Capital Development Agency from demanding or collecting the N37 billion earmarked for the r...
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SERAP Sues FG Over Failed Chinese $460m Abuja CCTV Project
1Dec By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Sues FG Over Failed Chinese $460m Abuja CCTV Project

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Mrs Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning over failure to “disclose information and specific documents on the total amount of money paid to contractors from the $460 million loan obtained in 2010 from China to fund the apparently failed Abuja Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) project, and failure to name the contractors involved and explain why the government has continued to re-pay the loan.” In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1447/2019 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking “an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus to direct and/or compel the Minister of Finance to disclose the details of local companies and Chinese contra...
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Sowore, Bakare, Falana: SERAP Petitions DSS
24Nov By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Sowore, Bakare, Falana: SERAP Petitions DSS

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has written to Mrs Soyata Maiga, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the commission’s members to take action against the harassment of Omoyele Sowore, Olawale Bakare, their sureties and lawyers, particularly Femi Falana, SAN. According to SERAP, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has stated that it would not release the activists until it is allowed to vet sureties that have already been verified by the court. SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, who released the petition on Sunday noted that the harassment of detained activists, their sureties as well as lawyers who come to their defence, shows a steady slide away from the rule of law and underscores the urgent need for th...
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SERAP Writes archbishop Of Canterbury, Seeks His Intervention On Sowore’s Case
11Nov By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Writes archbishop Of Canterbury, Seeks His Intervention On Sowore’s Case

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Revd Justin Portal Welby urging him to use his good offices and leadership and his “friendship with President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on him to obey court orders most recently involving activists Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare who remain in arbitrary detention despite a court order for their release.” SERAP expressed “serious concerns about the disturbing trends by state governments and federal government to use the court as a tool to suppress citizens’ human rights.” In the letter dated 11 November 2019 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “We believe you can use your leadership position and influence to persuade...
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SERAP writes Trump, seeks travel ban for Governors jailing journalists
31Oct By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
News

SERAP writes Trump, seeks travel ban for Governors jailing journalists

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to the US President Donald Trump asking him to exercise his constitutional powers “pursuant to the Presidential Proclamations 7750 and 8697 to instruct the US Secretary of State and US Ambassador in Nigeria to temporarily ban Nigerian state governors and other senior public officials misusing the criminal justice system to jail journalists, bloggers and activists reporting on allegations of corruption from entering the US.” SERAP also urged Mr Trump to “use Presidential Proclamation 8697 (which allows the US Department of State to deny visas to foreign officials, their families and friends) who participate in serious human rights violations and other abuses such as misusing the criminal justice system to ja...
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Employment Slots Scandal: SERAP Calls On ICPC, EFCC To Probe Senate, MDAs
20Oct By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Employment Slots Scandal: SERAP Calls On ICPC, EFCC To Probe Senate, MDAs

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to: “jointly carry out a prompt, thorough, transparent and effective investigation  into allegations that principal officers and members of the Nigerian Senate are using their official positions to get job slots from government agencies.” SERAP also urged the anti-corruption agencies to: “probe allegations that some ministries, departments and agencies are selling the employment slots at their disposal, with a single slot being allegedly sold for as much as N1.5 million. We urge you to prosecute anyone suspected to be involved should you consider there is relevant and sufficient admissible...
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Sowore’s Release A Victory For The Rule Of Law – SERAP
24Sep By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Sowore’s Release A Victory For The Rule Of Law – SERAP

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has welcomed decision by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordering the immediate release of the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, from the custody of the Department of State Service as “a victory for the rule of law, human rights and judicial independence.” In a statement, SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “It's a huge relief that Sowore will be freed and can finally return to his family and journalism work. He should never have been detained in the first place. The Nigerian authorities should now withdraw all the charges against him and allow freedom of expression and media freedom to flourish. It’s good for everyone.” SERAP said: “The Nigerian authorities now have t...
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Charges Against Sowore A Mockery Of Justice, End The Case Now – SERAP
22Sep By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Charges Against Sowore A Mockery Of Justice, End The Case Now – SERAP

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to Mr Abukabar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, urging him to use his position “to without delay enter a nolle prosequi and discontinue the prosecution of the Convener of ‘RevolutionNow’ protest and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr Omoyele Sowore, and Olawale Bakare, also known as Mandate for apparently politically motivated charges of treason, fraud and ‘insulting President Muhammadu Buhari’.” SERAP said: “We urge you to use your role as a trustee of the public interest under section 174 of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) to end several of similar trumped-up cases going on in several states.” In the letter dated 21 September 2019 and signed by ...
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Xenophobia: SERAP Asks African Countries To Take S.A To Court, Seeks $10b For Victims
9Sep By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Xenophobia: SERAP Asks African Countries To Take S.A To Court, Seeks $10b For Victims

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to Mrs Soyata Maiga, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the commission’s members requesting them: “to urgently submit a case on the escalating xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African citizens in South Africa to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and to seek an effective remedy and reparation for Nigerian victims.” SERAP said: “these attacks constitute serious violations of the human rights of Nigerians and other African citizens in South Africa.” The organization also urged the commission to “seek in the case to the African Court, punitive damages and adequate compensation of $10 billion (USD) on behalf of hundreds of Nigerian victims and...
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SERAP Asks Governors To Emulate ‘Makinde’s Open Asset Declaration Example
28Jul By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Asks Governors To Emulate ‘Makinde’s Open Asset Declaration Example

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged 35 state governors in Nigeria to “emulate the shining example of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who recently openly declared his assets, by publishing without further delay the full details of their asset declarations submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). SERAP said: “Nigerians ought to know the worth of their state governors. The publication of asset declarations by state governors will improve transparency, accountability and good governance and assure the public that neither fraud nor illicit enrichment is concealed. Knowing the worth of state governors before and after taking offices would also prevent rumours, half-truths or innuendo regarding asset declarations.” According to the assets declarati...
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SERAP Urges Orji Kalu, Goje, Okorocha, Others To ‘Stop Collecting Pensions’
30Jun By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Urges Orji Kalu, Goje, Okorocha, Others To ‘Stop Collecting Pensions’

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged all former governors now in the ninth Senate to “publicly commit to stop collecting pensions from their states while they serve as senators, return ‘pensions’ already collected to the public treasury, and push for the abolition of double emoluments laws for former governors and deputies in their states.” Several of the 36 states have enacted pension-for-life laws for former governors and deputies. Among former governors in the ninth Senate that will enjoy such pensions are two ex-governors Abia State, Orji Kalu, and his successor, Theodore Orji; former governor Ebonyi State Sam Egwu; former governor Imo State Rochas Okorocha; former governor Ogun State Ibikunle Amosu; and former governor Gombe State, Danjuma Goje. ...
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SERAP Writes Gov. Dickson, Asks Him To Reject Life Pension For Bayelsa Lawmakers
28Apr By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Writes Gov. Dickson, Asks Him To Reject Life Pension For Bayelsa Lawmakers

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State urging him to use his “good offices as trustee of the state’s resources, and consistent with your constitutional oath of office, to reject the proposed life pension bill by the leader of the House of Assembly Peter Akpe, and to prevail upon the House to immediately withdraw the self-serving bill.” The House had last week passed a bill that would grant life pensions to speakers, deputy speakers and other members. Under the bill, speakers will go home with N500,000 monthly, while deputy speakers will receive N200,000. 24 other members will each get N100,000. The House is seeking life pensions for members similar to those “applicable to former presidents, vice-p...
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SERAP Writes Buhari, 36 Governors, Seeks Disclosure Of Spending Security Votes
14Apr By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Writes Buhari, 36 Governors, Seeks Disclosure Of Spending Security Votes

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent Freedom of Information requests to President Muhammadu Buhari and the 36 state governors in Nigeria requesting them to use their “good offices and leadership positions to urgently provide information on specific details of spending of appropriated public funds as security votes between 2011 and 2019.” In the separate requests sent to Mr Buhari and the governors, SERAP said: “Given the current security realities in the country, we need the information to determine if public funds meant to provide security and ensure respect and protection of the rights to life, physical integrity, and liberty of Nigerians have been spent for this purpose. Our request is limited to details of visible, specific security measures and proj...
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Compensate Victims Of Building Collapse In Lagos, Ibadan – SERAP
17Mar By dthataNo Comments
Uncategorized

Compensate Victims Of Building Collapse In Lagos, Ibadan – SERAP

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged “the governments of Lagos and Oyo states to “take immediate action to address the numerous ongoing human rights impacts of the deadly and catastrophic building collapse in their respective states, including by taking meaningful steps to avoid further damage to the human rights of the people affected.” The organization said: “The Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode and Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi should ensure as a matter of priority, access of victims and their families to effective remedies in a transparent manner, specifically, access to justice, adequate compensation, reparation, and guarantees that incidents like these can never happen again.” According to the organization: “These tragedies point to w...
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SERAP Writes Petition Over Electoral Violence, Ballot Snatching
26Feb By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Writes Petition Over Electoral Violence, Ballot Snatching

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has written a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari over electoral violence during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly Election. SERAP in a letter dated 25 February 2019 signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare urged Buhari to refer cases of electoral violence, killings in states like Rivers, Lagos and Oyo to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The organisation noted that this will serve as a deterrent to offenders and justice to those killed during electoral process. The statement read: “We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately refer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) pursuant to article 13 of the Rome Statute to which Nigeria is a state party, all allegations of election-related ...
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SERAP Responds To Fashola’s ‘No Corrupt’ Electricity Contractor
11Feb By dthataNo Comments
Religion

SERAP Responds To Fashola’s ‘No Corrupt’ Electricity Contractor

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has said that attempts to limit disclosure of information of public interest would weaken the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. This was in response to the letter by Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, that the names of contractors that collected public funds meant for electricity projects could not be found in the Ministry records Fashola said, “We have searched the Ministry’s record and the information you applied for is not held by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (Power Sector).” The letter signed on Fashola’s behalf by Mrs Shoetan A. A, Director (Legal Services) read in part: “I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 4th Janu...
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2019 Presidency: SERAP Reacts To Atiku’s Plan To Grant Amnesty To Looters
31Jan By dthataNo Comments
Politics

2019 Presidency: SERAP Reacts To Atiku’s Plan To Grant Amnesty To Looters

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has countered presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, Atiku Abubakar over plans to grant amnesty to corrupt Nigerians if elected president. Atiku said he may consider granting looters amnesty provided they are willing to reinvest their loot in Nigeria, thereby creating jobs. The former Vice president said this on Wednesday while answering questions on ‘The Candidates’, a presidential town hall co-production on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). But, SERAP , reacting in a post on its official Twitter handle condemned Atiku’s plan to grant amnesty to looters. According to SERAP, the corrupt must be held accountable and not escape justice. The post read: “Dear Atiku, granting amnesty for corr...
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SERAP Gives NJC 5 Days To Take Over CJN Onnoghen’s Case
27Jan By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Gives NJC 5 Days To Take Over CJN Onnoghen’s Case

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open petition to the Next-In-Rank to the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) urging the NJC “to immediately take over from the Code of Conduct Tribunal the case of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen with a view to setting up a committee to investigate the allegations of breach of constitutional asset declaration requirements against him.” The organization also urged the NJC to: “ask Justice Onnoghen to step aside from his role as Chief Justice pending the outcome of your investigation into the allegations against him. Also, if following your investigation, the allegations against Justice Onnoghen is established, the NJC should refer the case to appropriate anti-corruption bodies for pros...
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Serap Drags FG To UN Over Failure To End ASUU Strike
30Dec By dthataNo Comments
Education

Serap Drags FG To UN Over Failure To End ASUU Strike

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has sent an urgent appeal to two UN special rapporteurs urging them to “prevail upon the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reach an agreement to end the ongoing strike action by ASUU, which continues to have real and dire consequences on the right to higher education, specifically university education, as guaranteed by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party.” In the urgent appeal dated 28 December 2018 and signed by SERAP senior legal adviser Bamisope Adeyanju, the organization said: “By failing to prevent and end the ongoing strike action by ASUU, the Nigerian government has defied and breached th...
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SERAP Sues Buhari For Failure To Order Ganduje’s Probe
10Dec By dthataNo Comments
Politics

SERAP Sues Buhari For Failure To Order Ganduje’s Probe

SERAP has sued Buhari over failure to order Ganduje's probe, following bribery allegations against the Kano State Governor sparked off from alleged bribery videos released few weeks ago. According to the anti-corruption advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, though the alleged bribery directly concerned Kano State, the Federal Government could not afford to look away. SERAP who sued Buhari for failure to order Ganduje’s probe, also urged the Nigerian President to use his good offices to direct either the Attorney General of the Federation or anti-graft agencies to probe the bribery allegations against Ganduje. In a statement on Sunday by its Senior Legal Adviser, Ms Bamisope Adeyanju, SERAP said it had finally sued the President before the Fed...
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Travel Ban On 50 High-profile Nigerians Illegal, Repressive – SERAP To Buhari
14Oct By dthataNo Comments
Politics

Travel Ban On 50 High-profile Nigerians Illegal, Repressive – SERAP To Buhari

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has said that “The order banning 50 alleged high-profile corrupt Nigerians from travelling abroad without any legal basis and a judicial authorisation is clearly arbitrary, repressive and illegal, as it breaches constitutional rights and the country’s international obligations, which protect the rights to freedom of movement, to leave one’s country, to privacy, and to due process of law.” The organization said: “A travel ban by its nature is an interference with the right to leave one’s country. It is neither necessary nor proportionate to prevent dissipation of stolen assets or stop politically exposed persons (PEPs) from tampering with any such assets. The ban should be immediately lifted and the order rescinded.” Presidenti...
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Ex-Governors’ Pensions: Emulate Saraki – SERAP Tells Gov. Yari
1Mar By raymonNo Comments
News

Ex-Governors’ Pensions: Emulate Saraki – SERAP Tells Gov. Yari

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari to emulate Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and kick against double emoluments laws for former governors and deputies in their states.   Saraki on Wednesday hailed Kwara State House of Assembly on the passage of bill to suspend payment of pensions to former governors and their deputies when they hold a public office. SERAP in a statement to DAILY POST by its deputy director, Timothy Adewale urged Gov. Yari to show example and abolish double emoluments laws. The statement reads “ Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari to emulate the example of Senate President Bukola Saraki a...
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EU-Africa Summit: SERAP Tasks President Buhari Over Slave Auction In Libya
29Nov By ZIHONo Comments
News

EU-Africa Summit: SERAP Tasks President Buhari Over Slave Auction In Libya

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “seize the opportunity presented by the on-going European Union-African Union summit in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to push for a joint EU-AU international commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of slave auction in Libya, especially given the appalling plight of several Nigerians who are among those trapped in Libya.” SERAP’s statement comes ahead of the meeting between the EU and the AU today and tomorrow in Abidjan. In the statement dated 29 November 2017 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organization said: “Nigerian and other African victims of abuses in Libya are crying out for leadership. They urgently need African leaders to act. Given Nigeria’s lea...
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NNPC Contracts Scandal: EFCC, ICPC Should Decide Ibe Kachikwu, Maikanti Baru’s Fate – SERAP
11Oct By raymonNo Comments
News

NNPC Contracts Scandal: EFCC, ICPC Should Decide Ibe Kachikwu, Maikanti Baru’s Fate – SERAP

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission to investigate the controversy surrounding the award of $25bn contracts in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, and the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru, have been at loggerheads over the process of awarding the contracts. Speaking with one of our correspondents on the telephone on Tuesday, the Executive Director of SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said the EFCC and the ICPC would be able to determine if such contracts existed or if the contracts followed due process. Mumuni said, “I don’t want to take sides with a...
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Lagos Lawyer Drags NERC To Court Over Electricity Tariff
28Sep By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
News

Lagos Lawyer Drags NERC To Court Over Electricity Tariff

In May 2015, a Lagos-based lawyer, Toluwani Adebiyi, dragged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to court, seeking an order baring the commission from increasing electricity tariff until every household in the country enjoys at least 18 hours of uninterrupted power supply on a daily basis. The lawyer, in his suit, complained bitterly about the alleged fleecing of electricity consumers in the country, by electricity distribution companies which refused to issue meters to the consumers but preferred to issue estimated and usually inflated bills. But Adebiyi’s suit against NERC had yet to be resolved when several other similar suits, including class actions, were filed in court by consumers who were clearly fed up with epileptic power supply and unreasonably high bills. On...
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Why We Are Finding It Difficult To Recover Abacha Loot From US – Presidency
28Aug By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
News

Why We Are Finding It Difficult To Recover Abacha Loot From US – Presidency

The Presidency has disclosed why Nigerian government is finding it difficult to repatriate looted funds stashed in the United States, US, by the late Military Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha (rtd).Senior Special Assistant to President Mohammed Buhari on Prosecutions, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, revealed that the failure of the immediate past administration was responsible for the delay in recovering the funds.Obono-Obla explained that the inability of former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, to enter a defence to a motion filed before a Maryland court in US was responsible for the delay in recovering the funds.Featuring on Channels TV, the Presidential aide, however, noted that despite of the setback, the current government is making efforts to recovery the funds.According to O...
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SERAP Asks ICC To Investigate Alleged Missing N11trn Electricity Fund
16Aug By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
News

SERAP Asks ICC To Investigate Alleged Missing N11trn Electricity Fund

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), to use her “good offices and leadership position to investigate whether the allegations of widespread, systematic and large-scale corruption in the electricity sector since the return of democracy in 1999 and under the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan in Nigeria amount to crimes against humanity within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, and to prevail on the Nigerian government to surrender all suspected perpetrators for trial by the ICC.” Nigeria is a state party to the Rome Statute and deposited its instrument of ratification on 27 September 2001. In the petition dated 16 ...
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How Obasanjo, Yar Adua, Jonathan Squandered Over N11trn For Electricity – SERAP
9Aug By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
News

How Obasanjo, Yar Adua, Jonathan Squandered Over N11trn For Electricity – SERAP

A new report by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has revealed how over N11 trillion meant to provide regular electricity supply was allegedly squandered under the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. According to the report, “The total estimated financial loss to Nigeria from corruption in the electricity sector starting from the return to democracy in 1999 to date is over Eleven Trillion Naira (N11 Trillion Naira). This represents public funds, private equity and social investment (or divestments) in the power sector. It is estimated that may reach over Twenty Trillion Naira (N20 Trillion Naira) in the next decade given the rate of Government investment and funding in the power sector amidst dwindling...
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Buhari Cancels Medical Trip To London, Invites Physicians To Nigeria
30Mar By Czar Owolabi MarcusNo Comments
Uncategorized

Buhari Cancels Medical Trip To London, Invites Physicians To Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday changed a plan by which he was due to return to London this weekend for another round of medical treatment, barely two weeks after his return from a hospital there. Instead, his doctors will be arriving on Friday to carry out further medical examination on him. Sources at the Presidency informed SaharaReporters that the president’s advance party had already left Abuja earlier in the day by Ethiopian Airlines before they were recalled to Abuja. Our sources say the hawks within the presidency advised against taking the president abroad so soon after his seven weeks away, as that would begin to feed the rumor mill all over again about his ailment. In a short televised address upon his return, Buhari had hinted about returning to the hospit...
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