Did Lawmakers Demand N480m Bribe for Budget Approval? Advocacy Group Addresses Claim

• The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has dismissed allegations that lawmakers demanded bribes from universities, urging Vice Chancellors to present proof
• SHAC suggested that some university administrators fear scrutiny due to internal issues like budget mismanagement and cases of misconduct
• The House of Representatives has denied the bribery claims, maintaining that the budget defence process remains transparent and accountable

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has dismissed allegations that members of the National Assembly demanded bribes from university administrators before approving their budget estimates.

The organisation has called on Vice Chancellors (VCs) of Nigerian universities who have yet to defend their 2025 budget proposals to do so without delay.

Lawmakers allegedly demanded bribes for budget approval

These remarks follow claims that lawmakers sought N480 million from universities in exchange for budget approvals.

SHAC’s coordinator, Mary Johnson, has challenged the affected VCs to provide concrete evidence of any extortion attempts or refrain from making unfounded accusations.

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“If these allegations are true, the VCs should publicly name those involved rather than making vague claims,” Johnson stated during a press briefing on Thursday.

She further noted that multiple revenue-generating agencies, such as the Nigerian Customs Service and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, successfully defended their budgets without encountering similar issues.

Johnson questioned why the university administrators were the only ones raising bribery concerns, suggesting that the reluctance to face scrutiny might stem from deeper issues within the institutions themselves.

She alluded to the possibility that some administrators might fear budgetary oversight due to internal problems such as cases of sexual misconduct.

“There have been reports of lecturers engaged in unethical behaviour, including those married to the daughters of VCs and registrars. Have these administrators addressed such issues within their institutions?” she asked.

Group debunks alleged bribe demands

Backing the National Assembly, Johnson asserted that the legislature plays a crucial role in upholding democratic principles and should not be subjected to baseless accusations.

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She argued that while irregularities exist within government agencies, lawmakers are frequently singled out unfairly.

Previously, certain university administrators had alleged, in a report by Premium Times, that National Assembly members demanded N5 million from each institution to facilitate budget approvals.

However, the House of Representatives has categorically denied these claims, maintaining that all budget defence sessions have been conducted with full transparency.

Senate names Kogi lawmaker Natasha chair of diaspora committee

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had been appointed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora, a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s engagement with its citizens abroad.

The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, marking a significant step towards harnessing the potential of the Nigerian diaspora.

Following her appointment, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her commitment to building a strong network with Nigerian professionals and communities abroad.

Speaking to journalists, she stressed the need for strategic policies to enhance the welfare of Nigerians overseas while leveraging their expertise and financial contributions for national development.

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Natasha mentions actual fear of North on tax reforms

Legit.ng had also reported that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central at the National Assembly, had said a lack of preparedness was the root cause of northern Nigeria's fear of President Bola Tinubu's proposed tax reform bills.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Israel Arogbonlo, on Thursday, January 16, the federal lawmaker made the comment during his address at the Sardauna Memorial Day in Kaduna.

Source: Legit.ng