Posted by By Isaac Olamikan on
Bayelsa Patriots, a group dedicated to good governance in Bayelsa State, has instituted a court action against the state government and the 25 lawmakers in the State House of Assembly.
Bayelsa Patriots, a group dedicated to good governance in Bayelsa State, has instituted a court action against the state government and the 25 lawmakers in the State House of Assembly.
The question the group is asking the court to clarify is whether a state government under the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is empowered to award contracts described as "Constituency Development Project" or by any other name so described to state legislators whose duty under the constitution is to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the State as provided in section 4(6) and (7) of the constitution.
The Patriots relied on seven grounds to move their application. In his affidavit in support of motion on notice, Aureol Vianana, leader of the Bayelsa Patriots, asserted that the lawmakers have, through their companies/business names, received from the state government payment of the total net sum of N1,322,400,000.00 (one billion, three hundred and twenty-two million, four hundred thousand naira) for the execution of contracts described as Constituency Development Projects of their respective constituencies, with each legislator receiving N50,100,000.00 (fifty million, one hundred thousand naira) inclusive of all tax deductions.
Vianana revealed that the N50,100,000.00 represents an initial payment to each of the lawmakers for the contract award tagged Constituency Development Projects.
He asserted that prior to the award of the contracts in favour of the lawmakers no public invitation for tenders was ever made. He further said that a search at the Corporate Affairs Commission in Abuja reveals that the directors and shareholders of the companies that got the contracts are lawmakers in the State House of Assembly.
He averred that there is no provision in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria authorizing an award of Constituency Development Project to legislators either to themselves or to companies they are shareholders or have substantial interest.
The case, which was instituted at the State High Court in Yenagoa, has been adjourned until next week.