The Lagos state house of assembly
says it will not repeal the state’s pension law permitting former governors and
other public office holders to receive juicy pensions from state coffers.
In an interview with NAN on
Sunday, Tunde Braimoh (pictured), chairman, house committee on information and
strategy, said Lagos assembly will not go the way of the Zamfara assembly which
recently repealed pension law for its former governors.
A federal high court in Lagos had
ordered the federal government to recover pensions collected by former
governors now serving as ministers and members of the national assembly.
The court also directed Abubakar
Malami, attorney-general of the federation, to challenge the legality of
states’ pension laws permitting former governors and other ex-public officials
to receive such pensions.
Braimoh, however, faulted the
court ruling that ordered Malami to take immediate legal action towards the
abolishment of state laws that permit “former governors to enjoy governors’
emoluments while drawing normal salaries and allowances in their new political
offices.”
He told NAN that as long as the
law did not contravene the constitution, state assemblies had the right to make
laws for the benefit of the society in which they operate.
The lawmaker said separation of
powers as enshrined in the constitution empowers the legislature to make laws,
the executive to implement and the judiciary to interpret the laws.
“The Supreme Court had made it
clear several times that no arm of government can repeal the constitutional
provisions of another arm of government,” he said.
“Therefore, legislators make laws
that are in tune with the yearnings and dynamics of their society.
“Until another legislature comes
to alter, review or amend the law, the law is meant to be obeyed.
“The judiciary cannot pronounce
that a law by the state is unconstitutional unless such state law is
contradictory to the constitution.”
Braimoh said he was not aware of
any law that restricted state assemblies from making laws for the provision of
welfare package of former governors and public office holders.
Below are details of the pension
of former governors of Lagos:
The Lagos State Governor and
Deputy Governor Pensions Law of 2007 provides one of the most lucrative
pensions in the federation. The highlight is that the former governor is
entitled to six new cars every three years and a house in Lagos and another in
Abuja. Conservatively, a house in Lagos will cost N500 million and one in Abuja
N700 million. The former governor and family (spouse and children ─ both
married and unmarried) are entitled to free medical which is not capped.
Another highlight is that the ex-governor is entitled to a cook, steward,
gardener and other domestic staff who are pensionable.
THE BENEFITS
Annual Basic Salary: 100% of
annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy.
Accommodation: One residential
house in Lagos and another in FCT for the former governor; one residential
house in Lagos for the deputy.
Transport: Three cars, two
back-up cars and one pilot car for the ex-governor every three years; two cars,
two back-up cars and one pilot car for the deputy every three years.
Furniture: 300% of annual basic
salary every two years.
House maintenance: 10% of annual
basic salary.
Domestic staff: Cook, steward,
gardener and other domestic staff (no limit) who shall be pensionable.
Medical: Free medical treatment
for ex-governor and deputy and members of their families (not just spouses).
Security: Two SSS operatives, one
female officer, eight policemen (four each for house and personal security) for
the ex-governor; one SSS operative and two policemen (one each for house and
personal security) for the deputy.
PA: 25% of annual basic salary.
Car maintenance: 30% of annual
basic salary.
Entertainment: 10% of annual
basic salary.
Utility: 20% of annual basic
salary.
Drivers: Pensionable (no limit to
number of drivers).
Severance gratuity: Not
specified.
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