Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has faulted the
claim by the Speaker of House of Representatives Mr Yakubu Dogara that
“budget padding is not a crime under Nigerian law.”
Mr Dogara said this after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the
presidential villa last week. According to him, “Budget padding is not an
offence. What is padding? I studied law and I have been in the legislature
and all this period I have never heard of the word padding being an
offence under any law…Why should I be worried. As far as I am concerned, I
am not worried over anything.”
But in a statement today by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the
organization said that, “Budget padding in fact is corruption, as it is
implicit in corruption offences such as abuse of office, attempt to
embezzle, divert, and misappropriate public funds, conspiracy to act
corruptly, and illicit enrichment, which are recognized under the UN
Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party, and
included in national legislation such as the Corrupt Practices and Other
Related Offences Act, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
Establishment Act and the Fiscal Responsibility Act.”
The statement reads in part: “The allegations against Mr Dogara and other
principal officials of the House of Representatives also suggest a
subversion of the budget process, which in itself is a crime but also a
fundamental breach of constitutional provisions and an affront to
internationally recognized human rights.”
“A prima-facie case of corruption is established when elected officials
are allegedly influenced to act contrary to their obligations of office by
the prospect of financial gain to themselves. Budget padding also amounts
to corruption as the action is against the public interest. Any appearance
of corruption in the budget process can result in a cynical public to
losing interest in political participation altogether. And democracy can’t
work unless Nigerians have faith in those who govern.”
“If Mr Dogara refuses to resign to allow for effective and transparent
investigation and the allegations of budget padding are swept under the
carpet, the ability of the House of Representatives to function as a
watchdog and credible guardian of the public interest would be seriously
compromised.”
“The allegations of budget padding and abuse of office by the Speaker and
principal officials of the House of Representatives have continue to
outrage the public, bringing the House’s integrity further into question.”
“Mr Dogara therefore has a duty to explain to Nigerians the role he played
in the alleged budget padding in the House and abuse of office if the
growing perception of corruption in the House is to be addressed.”
“Nigerians would like Mr Dogara to explain how the funds meant for
legislative functions to service guest houses were spent. Nigerians would
also like Mr Dogara to explain allegations that favours were sought from
multinational companies including the allegation that a construction
company was compelled to carry out some work at his Asokoro ‘plot’.”
“The truth about the alleged budget padding and abuse of office cannot be
kept from the public, and treated as an internal matter or a case of see
no evil, speak no evil.”
“The more the leadership of the House of Representatives recoils and
resists Nigerians’ calls for investigation and accountability for those
involved in the alleged budget padding and abuse of office, the more
Nigerians will turn on the House of Representatives, and the calls for
those involved to step down and for an independent and transparent
investigation and prosecution will only get stronger.”