The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit seeking to compel Mr. Akpabio and Mr. Abbas to disclose and clarify the details of the N8.5 billion budgeted for 'National Assembly liabilities' in the Appropriation Act 2024. The suit, filed by SERAP's lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo, argues that the disclosure of this information is crucial for public accountability and to prevent potential abuses of governmental or legislative power.

According to SERAP, the public's right to information outweighs any other interests, and the oversight provided by public access to such details would serve as an important check on the activities of the lawmakers. The organization believes that disclosing, clarifying, and explaining the details of the National Assembly budget would improve public trust and allow Nigerians to track and monitor the spending, as well as hold lawmakers accountable for any mismanagement and corruption.

The lawsuit emphasizes that the effective operation of representative democracy depends on the people's ability to scrutinize, discuss, and contribute to government decision-making, including on the spending of the National Assembly budget. It argues that citizens should have access to information regarding their lawmakers' activities and spending, as mandated by the Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, and the country's anti-corruption and human rights obligations.

SERAP also highlights the significant increase in the National Assembly's budget allocation for 2024, which reportedly amounts to over 70 percent of the proposed budget submitted by President Bola Tinubu. The lawsuit outlines various items contained in the N344.48 billion National Assembly budget, including allocations for different offices, committees, construction projects, and other expenses.

The lawsuit seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of public funds, especially given the economic challenges facing the country and the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on vulnerable Nigerians. No date has been set for the hearing of the suit at this time.

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