Nigerian Senators Face ₦150 Billion Refund Demand Over Poor Performance, Dual Roles
Lawyers Sue to Compel Senators to Repay Salaries Amidst Claims of 12% Legislative Output
A group of legislative lawyers under the umbrella of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has filed a pre-action notice before the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (FCCPT), demanding a ₦150 billion refund from Nigerian senators over alleged poor legislative performance and illegal dual office-holding.
In a statement dated May 26, 2025, ALDRAP accused the 109 senators of delivering only 12 per cent performance since the inception of the 10th National Assembly in May 2023. The group is calling for the refund of 78 per cent of salaries and allowances collected over the past two years, averaging ₦15 million per senator per month.
40 Senators Accused of Holding Dual Offices
The notice also singles out 40 senators alleged to be concurrently serving in ECOWAS and Pan-African Parliaments—a practice ALDRAP says violates Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution. The association is demanding a full refund of all earnings from the accused lawmakers.
According to ALDRAP, this double representation constitutes a conflict of interest and results in double remuneration at the expense of Nigerian taxpayers.
Constituents Described as ‘Consumers’ of Legislative Services
In the notice addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, ALDRAP described Nigerian citizens as “consumers” of legislative services. The legal action is being taken under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Act of 2018, which provides for consumer protection across all sectors, including public services.
“We represent the constituents (consumers) of legislative services provided by the 109 senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” said Amuga Williams, ALDRAP’s administrative secretary.
“We demand a refund of 78% of all salaries and allowances collected from May 2023 to May 2025 and full refunds from the 40 senators holding concurrent memberships in foreign parliaments.”
Senate’s Legislative Output Criticized
The group referenced an affidavit and an open letter written by legislative expert Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, which highlighted the Senate’s alleged failures. Jaja cited:
- Passage of the National Anthem Act, 2024, and extension of the Inspector-General of Police’s tenure without public consultation.
- Approval of the Rivers State emergency declaration law without a constitutionally required two-thirds majority.
- Prioritization of executive-sponsored bills over private member initiatives.
- Poor legislative activity on critical issues like insecurity and agriculture.
Jaja also condemned Senate President Akpabio’s March 2024 statement that senators were not elected to “fight” the Executive, calling it a violation of the principle of separation of powers.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension Cited as Abuse of Power
The group highlighted the controversial six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as an example of due process violations. According to ALDRAP, the suspension was carried out without adhering to Senate Standing Rules or judicial precedents and was part of a larger campaign of intimidation, which includes media smear campaigns and criminal prosecution.
Legislative Performance Statistics Backed by Report
Quoting an October 2024 report by parliamentary watchdog OrderPaper, ALDRAP noted that:
- More than 50% of bills in the Senate from June 2023 to May 2024 were recycled from previous sessions.
- Only 19 out of 464 bills introduced in the Senate’s first year were passed.
- From May 2024 to May 2025, just 7 out of 341 Senate bills were enacted.
- In the House of Representatives, only 114 of 1,727 bills filed by December 2024 were passed.
- Bills focusing on agriculture and food security represented a meagre 5.8% in the House and 7.3% in the Senate.
- Security-related legislation accounted for just 7.2% and 5.4% in the House and Senate, respectively.
Call for Refund and Accountability
ALDRAP warned that unless the Tribunal intervenes and compels refunds, “the culture of legislative underperformance and dual office-holding will persist to the detriment of Nigerian citizens.” The group has given a seven-day ultimatum for the senators to comply or face legal action.
Legal experts suggest that this case, while novel, could set a precedent in enforcing financial accountability and performance standards for elected officials in Nigeria’s legislature.
What’s Next
A hearing date at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal is expected if the Senate fails to respond within the stipulated time. Meanwhile, civil society groups and constituents are beginning to rally around ALDRAP’s bold move, which could reshape public expectations of legislative accountability in Nigeria.
