The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has warned that it may take legal action against the federal government and Nigeria’s 36 state governors. This comes after claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the governors are giving cars and houses to judges.
In a statement released on Sunday, SERAP asked President Bola Tinubu to step in and stop Wike and the governors from undermining the authority and responsibilities of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the heads of courts. SERAP argued that these gifts break the constitutional rules about the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the rule of law. This could give the impression that the judiciary is controlled by the executive branch.
This isn’t the first time SERAP has faced off with Nigerian officials. Previously, the organisation took legal action against state governors and the FCT minister for not properly explaining how they used public money. This includes trillions of naira from FAAC allocations since 1999 and N5.9 trillion and $4.6 billion in loans taken by states and the FCT.
