Budget Padding: SERAP Asks Court To Compel EFCC To Investigate Dogara, Others

As the National Assembly resumes on Monday, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the federal high court in Abuja for an order to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute allegations of budget padding and abuse of office leveled against the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara.

The suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/733/16 dated September 15, 2016 was filed on behalf of SERAP by its Solicitor Femi Falana (SAN).

It was filed pursuant to Order 34, Rules 1 (1) (A); 2, Rule 3 (1) and (2) (A), (B) and (C) of the Federal High Court Rules, 2009 and the inherent jurisdiction of the Honourable Court.

Others who SERAP want the EFCC to investigate include the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun; the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hassan Ado Doguwa.”

SERAP, in the suit, is seeking two reliefs from the court against EFCC.

The organization is seeking a declaration that the failure of the respondent (EFCC) to investigate allegations of budget padding and abuse of office leveled against Dogara, Lasun, Ogor; and Ado is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates Section 6 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004.

The organisation is also asking the court for an order of mandamus compelling the respondent to investigate allegations of budget padding and abuse of office leveled against Dogara and others.
In the affidavit in support of its prayer to the court for an order of mandamus SERAP stated that the suit was borne out of the fact that it is the statutory responsibility of the EFCC to investigate and prosecute financial crimes in the country and that unnless the reliefs sought are granted, the EFCC will not investigate the Speaker of the House of Representatives and others for alleged grave financial and economic crimes.

“This matter is presently generating a lot of public concern and discourse and is presently in the front burner of national discourse thus germane to Nigerians. By the nature of the case, it ought to be heard urgently. It is in the interest of justice to hear this matter expeditiously.” 

The Nation

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Dogara Begs Siasia, Dream Team Not To Boycott Quarter Final Match

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has appealed to the national U23 team styled Dream Team VI, not to boycott its quarter final encounter against Denmark on Saturday, at the ongoing Rio 2016 Olympics.

Dogara, who was speaking against the backdrop of complaints of Team’s Head Coach, Samson Siaisia, that the players of the team have refused to train and may boycott the tie due to unpaid allowances and wages, said the Dream Team should take patriotism as a fulcrum of their campaign, as he will personally do everything within his powers to intervene in the matter.

He said the team has a very bright chance of repeating the feat of the Atlanta ’96 Dream Team led by the legendary Nwankwo Kanu and the team should be encouraged by all Nigerians.

He noted that football being the major unifying factor in the country should be maximized by all for Nigeria’s continued joy and unity.

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