SERAP Sues Code of Conduct Bureau Over Electoral Act and Tax Law Abuses
The Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for its failure to investigate serious allegations concerning the improper alteration of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill and the Tax Reform Bills. According to the lawsuit, certain lawmakers are accused of removing key sections related to the electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act during plenary sessions, while also unlawfully modifying aspects of the tax reform bills.
Details of the Legal Suit
In the suit, registered as FHC/ABJ/CS/634/2026 and filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus. This order aims to compel the CCB to probe the allegations that lawmakers improperly excised critical provisions on electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. Additionally, SERAP is requesting another order of mandamus to direct the CCB to investigate claims that certain lawmakers and executive branch officers unlawfully altered parts of the tax reform bills, leading to discrepancies between the laws passed by legislators and the publicly available gazette copy.
Constitutional Grounds and Arguments
SERAP argues that the Code of Conduct for Public Officers is a constitutional imperative designed to uphold probity, accountability, and transparency in public life. In the suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, the organization emphasized that public officers are bound by constitutional standards of conduct, and any breach of these standards should result in constitutional consequences. Citing Paragraph One of the Fifth Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), SERAP highlighted that it prohibits public officers from placing themselves in situations where personal interests conflict with their official duties.
Key Points of the Case:
- SERAP is challenging the CCB's inaction on allegations of electoral and tax law abuses.
- The lawsuit focuses on the removal of electronic transmission provisions from the Electoral Act and unauthorized changes to tax bills.
- SERAP asserts that such actions violate constitutional standards for public officers.
This legal move underscores ongoing concerns about governance and accountability in Nigeria, as SERAP pushes for stricter enforcement of ethical standards among public officials to ensure transparency and integrity in legislative processes.
