Court says National Assembly has no power to fix own salaries
By Modupe Shodeinde
A Federal High Court in Lagos has declared it illegal for member of the National Assembly to fix their own salaries.
The court yesterday ordered the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to fix the salaries and allowances of the 469 members of the National Assembly to reflect the economic realities in the country.
Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor, also declared that the National Assembly Service Commission has no power to determine the remuneration and allowances of lawmakers.”
This followed suits brought by Monday Ubani and John Nwokwu, as well as the of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), BudgIT and Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE) on behalf of more than 1,500 concerned Nigerians.
In his ruling, Justice Obiozor said no other body or person in the country shall fix salary or allowances for any officer except RMAFC and it is illegal for anyone to do otherwise.
The judge, however, did not order that such allowances be refunded.
According to the Court, “the National Assembly Service Commission has no power whatsoever to fix and determine or allocate the remuneration, allowances, salaries, emoluments or monetary values to the members of the National Assembly.”
