Sacked Senator and Rep to refund N75m; what about N516m?

A Senator and House of Representatives member sacked Friday by the nation’s Supreme Court will have to cough out N75 million within the next 90 days as refund, being the approximate amount both men made officially in the last two years before the apex court spoilt their fun.

But the “unofficial” amount was the object of whispers last Friday in the National Assembly: what happens to N516 million that passed through two offices in the last two years? Will the huge sum ever be refunded?

It was gathered that since the amounts were not official, they may have gone with the wind.

Everyday.NG learnt from internal operatives within the system that an average of N13.5 million may have gone to the senatorial office monthly, while a little around N8 million went to the representative office monthly. That gives N324 million for the office in the Upper House of the National Assembly in two years, while the office in the Lower House got N192 million.

The “unofficial” amounts have been a subject of controversy in the National Assembly, rising yearly in the history of the National Assembly, but dropping in the last two years due to financial constraints since the present administration in the country came on board.
The Supreme Court declared Mrs Dorathy Mato winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party ticket for Vandeikya/ Konshisha federal constituency of Benue state .
She replaces Herman Hembe, who was asked to vacate his House of Representatives office immediately and return all salaries and benefits collected.
Same goes for the former deputy governor of Taraba State.
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday, ordered Senaror Sani Abubakar Danladi, representing Taraba North Senatorial District, to vacate his seat and refund all salaries and allowances he received within 90 days.

The court also declared Alhaji Shuaibu Isa Lau, as the senator representing the constituency.

The order was contained in the judgement of the court on the appeal filed by Lau.

Both Danladi and Lau are members of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Lau had challenged the decision of the Court of Appeal that upturned his victory during the primary elections. He claimed that he was wrongfully substituted.

The apex court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate issued to Danladi and issue a fresh certificate of return to Lau.

The apex court in the unanimous judgment of a five-member panel held that the appellant had the right to participate just like any other candidate in the primary election.

The court added that if Lau felt that his right was infringed upon, he had the right to approach the court.

“From the totality of the appeal before this court, all the issues are resolved in favour of the appellant.

“His substitution at the primary election is null and void since the appellant scored the highest number of votes, the only option is to declare the appellant as the winner of primary election.

” This court hereby orders that the appellant be issued with the certificate of return and the respondent should immediately vacate the seat.

“He should return to the National Assembly, all salaries and allowances received as a senator within 90 days.

Sacked Senator and Rep to refund N75m; what about N516m?

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