A lawsuit has been initiated against over 40 Nigerian lawmakers who hold concurrent membership in both the National Assembly and ECOWAS Parliament, leading to the possibility of them vacating their seats. The suit was brought forth by the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), a non-governmental organization focused on promoting transparency and accountability through litigation, advocacy, and policy engagements.
ALDRAP had urged the Senate President to declare the seats of these lawmakers vacant due to their involvement in multiple parliaments simultaneously and receiving emoluments from each. Following non-compliance, a pre-action notice was served on the Senate President and the Clerk of the National Assembly, indicating the organization’s intent to pursue legal action if their demands were not met.
In a letter dated April 8, signed by Secretary Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, ALDRAP warned of potential legal action if the Senate President did not address the issue within seven working days. Additionally, the organization offered to draft bills for the domestication of the international instruments governing the ECOWAS Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament.
The group contended that holding dual memberships violated constitutional provisions and international acts, such as Section 68(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Article 18 of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Supplementary Act of 2017, which prohibit members from serving in multiple legislatures and receiving salaries.
ALDRAP’s lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeks clarification on whether members of the National Assembly must resign before joining the ECOWAS Parliament or Pan-African Parliament, and questions the legal operability of the ECOWAS Parliament’s legislation within Nigeria. The organization requests that salaries and benefits be discontinued for the lawmakers in question and calls for bye-elections to fill the vacant seats at the National Assembly.
CamScanner 04-08-2024 12.48 ALDRAP v PRESIDENT SENATE APRIL 2024 (1)
ALDRAP v PRESIDENT SENATE APRIL 2024 (1)