The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a suit against the Code of Conduct Bureau over its alleged failure to investigate claims of abuse of office linked to amendments to the Electoral Act and recent tax reform laws.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/634/2026 and filed last week before the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the bureau to probe allegations that some lawmakers improperly removed key provisions on electronic transmission of election results from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill during plenary.
The organisation is also asking the court to direct the bureau to investigate claims that certain lawmakers and officials within the executive arm unlawfully altered aspects of the tax reform bills, resulting in discrepancies between the versions passed by the legislature and those eventually gazetted for public use.
SERAP further urged the court to compel the bureau to refer any substantiated breaches of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for prosecution.
In its application, SERAP argued that granting the reliefs sought would address concerns bordering on conflict of interest, abuse of office and non-disclosure, while reinforcing due process in legislative functions.
It contended that lawmaking tainted by personal or sectional interests undermines constitutional responsibility and violates ethical standards prescribed for public officers.
“The Code of Conduct for Public Officers is a constitutional imperative designed to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in public life. Any credible allegation of breach must be promptly and thoroughly investigated,” the organisation stated.
SERAP maintained that public office holders act in trust for citizens and must not deploy official powers for personal advantage, adding that constitutional standards of conduct apply equally to members of the legislature and the executive.
The suit, filed by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, argued that the processes leading to the passage of the Electoral Act amendment and the tax reform laws were allegedly marred by irregularities, including alterations to bill provisions without due debate and changes made outside legislative approval.
It further claimed that some amendments may have been introduced or removed to serve private or political interests rather than the public good.
Citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), SERAP stressed that public officers are prohibited from placing themselves in situations where personal interests conflict with official duties, and are bound to uphold integrity in the discharge of their functions.
The organisation also referenced constitutional provisions mandating public institutions to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power, including within the lawmaking process.
According to the suit, recent concerns were heightened after a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, raised allegations of discrepancies between harmonised tax reform bills passed by the National Assembly and versions later gazetted by the Federal Government.
SERAP argued that such alleged alterations, if proven, raise serious questions about the legality and legitimacy of both the legislative process and the final laws in circulation.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
