A group of Nigerian lawyers under the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has filed a legal notice demanding that all 109 senators refund a large part of their salaries and allowances earned since 2023 due to what it described as “legislative underperformance.”
The group, acting on behalf of Nigerian citizens whom it refers to as “consumers of legislative services,” is also calling for a full refund from 40 senators who allegedly held double positions as lawmakers in Nigeria and members of the ECOWAS and Pan-African Parliaments.
The pre-action notice, dated May 26, 2025, was sent to the Senate through its President, Godswill Akpabio. ALDRAP claims the 10th Senate has delivered only 12% of its legislative duties since its inauguration in May 2023.
According to the lawyers, each senator earns around ₦15 million per month. Based on that estimate, the group is demanding a 78% refund for poor performance — a move that could see over ₦154 billion reclaimed from the lawmakers if the demands are enforced.
“The Senate has failed in its constitutional roles of lawmaking, oversight, and effective representation as outlined in Sections 4, 88, and 89 of the 1999 Constitution,” said ALDRAP’s Administrative Secretary, Amuga Williams.
In an affidavit submitted to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, the group alleged that many key national concerns such as insecurity, food security, and economic reforms have been ignored while recycled bills and executive-backed proposals have taken centre stage.
The group also faulted the Senate for passing important legislation like the National Anthem Act and the extension of the Inspector-General of Police’s tenure without public input or debate. It cited a letter written by legislative law expert, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, accusing the Senate of rushing bills and bypassing constitutional requirements.
Dr. Jaja’s letter also criticised a statement reportedly made by Senate President Akpabio in March 2024, in which he allegedly said senators were not elected to “fight” the Executive — a stance ALDRAP called a “clear breach of the separation of powers.”
The group also condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it a “violation of due process.” They alleged she has faced harassment and legal intimidation for her independent stance in the Red Chamber.
ALDRAP is particularly concerned about the 40 senators who allegedly participated in ECOWAS and Pan-African Parliament activities while still drawing full pay from the Nigerian Senate. They said this amounts to “double remuneration and a conflict of interest.”
Citing data from parliamentary monitor OrderPaper, the group noted that out of 464 bills introduced in the Senate between June 2023 and May 2024, only 19 were passed. From May 2024 to May 2025, only seven out of 341 bills were passed — figures they described as “unacceptable.”
The group has given the Senate seven days to act or face legal action at the Consumer Tribunal. They stressed that if accountability is not enforced, “the culture of legislative underperformance and abuse will continue, to the detriment of Nigerian citizens and democratic governance.”
