SERAP, Afenifere, Falana Blast Dogara Over Budget Padding Statement
Mr Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives[/caption]
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Afenifere Renewal Group, a Yoruba socio-political group have blasted the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara for claiming that budget padding does not amount to corruption.
Dogara had on Friday in Abuja after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa, said that “budget padding is not an offence.”
A statement issued by SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni on Sunday in Abuja, said that the act is a criminal offence as the action is against the public interest.
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The statement read, “The allegations against Dogara and other principal officers of the House also suggest a subversion of the budget process.
“This in itself is a crime and also a fundamental breach of constitutional provisions and an affront to internationally recognized human rights.
“A prima-facie case of corruption is established when elected officials are allegedly influenced to act contrary to their obligations of office by the prospect of financial gain to themselves.
“Budget padding also amounts to corruption as the action is against public interest.
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“Any appearance of corruption in the budget process can result in a cynical public or losing interest in political participation altogether.
“If Dogara refuses to resign for investigation and the allegations of budget padding are swept under the carpet, the ability of the House to function as a credible guardian of public interest would be seriously compromised.
“The allegations of budget padding and abuse of office by the speaker and principal officers of the House have continued to outrage the public, bringing the House’s integrity further into question.
“Dogara, therefore, has a duty to explain to Nigerians the role he played in the alleged budget padding in the House.”
Condemning the Speaker, the spokesman of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin said, “Budget padding is intent to commit an offence no doubt but the speaker should shelve impunity by showing some remorse.
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“He should appreciate the level of angst in the society. If people have not been paid for several months and cannot afford to eat, you can’t be telling them that ‘padding’ with billions of naira is not an offence,” Odumakin added.
READ ALSO: Dogara Has Confirmed Involvement In 2016 Budget Padding – Jibrin
Also, a human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), said: “The act violates Fiscal Responsibility Act. Section 13 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act prescribes that relevant agencies, including the National Assembly, make input into the budget. Relevant government agencies are required to do the costing for the projects to be included in the budget.
“It is expected that negotiation and costing of projects should have been concluded while the preparation is going on. Budgeting is a process. Budget is money bill, which must necessarily originate from the executive. Section 81(1) of the Constitution says the President shall cause the budget to be prepared and lay it before the National Assembly. The National Assembly cannot cause the budget to be prepared and lay it before itself.
“What the National Assembly can do after the budget is laid before it is to reduce the amount if it is convinced it is inflated.
“So it is conspiracy when they increase the amount or insert projects into the budget. The criminal act is concluded when they now draw from the funds they have inserted.”
