Nigerian Lawyers Weigh in on Cash-for-Bills Allegations and Local Government Funds Withholding

A dramatic debate is unfolding within Nigeria's legal community as prominent lawyers, Chief Mike Ahamba and Mr. Ige Asemudara, engage in a heated discussion over the allegations of members of the National Assembly paying up to N3 million to present bills and the continued withholding of local government statutory allocations. While Ahamba questions the approach of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in calling for an investigation into the cash-for-bills allegations, Asemudara hails the move as "patriotic" and "legitimate," emphasizing the need for immediate investigation and prosecution.

Key Takeaways:

• Chief Mike Ahamba believes that the Nigerian Constitution, under Section 7, provides for a democratically elected local government system, not one run by appointed officials. He emphasizes that the federal government has no power to withhold money, and it should be sent to the state government to distribute through the local government.
• Mr. Ige Asemudara takes a broader view, arguing that the issue is not limited to a single state but is a national problem of judicial disobedience. He suggests that beneficiaries of judgments should take legal action against the state's Chief Law Officer, the Attorney General, by filing contempt applications.
• Both lawyers disagree on the SERAP's call for a probe into the "cash-for-bills" allegations, with Ahamba questioning the premise and Asemudara endorsing the move as legitimate and patriotic.
• Ahamba argues that SERAP's approach is misguided, and they should report any information about public funds misappropriation directly to the EFCC. He emphasizes that the direct and proper channel for such a report is to the anti-corruption agencies themselves, bypassing the accused individuals.
• Asemudara calls for a full investigation and prosecution of all officers implicated in the allegations. He describes the situation as a "serious embarrassment to the nation" and a significant "clog in the wheel of delivering good governance to the people of Nigeria."

Statistics:

• Up to N3 million: the alleged amount paid by National Assembly members to present bills
• N3 million: the amount mentioned as the maximum paid by National Assembly members to present bills
• Section 7: the article of the Nigerian Constitution that provides for a democratically elected local government system

Sources:

• (Barrister) Chief Mike Ahamba SAN
• (Barrister) Ige Asemudara
• Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
• Nigerian Constitution
• (Legal case name redacted)