Some state houses of assembly have kicked against an aspect of a judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos on the recovery of N40bn collected by some former governors who are now serving as senators or ministers, adding that they will not repeal the ex-governor’s pension laws.

State assemblies including those of Plateau, Osun and Edo, in their reactions said they would not repeal the laws. The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Frank Okiye, said the House had no plans to repeal the pension law for political office holders in the state. Also, the Osun State House of Assembly   said it would not repeal the pension law for the ex-governors because the court judgment on the matter did not say the law was bad.

The Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Kunle Alabi, said the position of the court was that ex-governors in the National Assembly could not be drawing pension, while being paid salaries as federal lawmakers.

In Plateau State, a member of the state House of Assembly, representing Riyom Constituency  Timothy Dantong,  said  that the court could not compel the Assembly to repeal state laws in manners that were strange to the constitution. Also, the Chairman House Committee on Information Gombe State House of Assembly, Tulfugut Kardi, said, “We have never discussed anything like that (pension for governors). I am not aware of such”.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, said the state had pensions for all categories of public servants, adding that the payments were backed by law. He noted that Lagos was not involved in the controversy surrounding the payment of pensions and should not be brought into it.

According to the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law No 11 official Gazette of Lagos State, 2007, former governors of Lagos are entitled to a house in Lagos and Abuja in any location of their choice. However, the law adds that any governor who does not serve for two consecutive terms will only be entitled to a house in Lagos.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), reacting to the Wednesday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos, said that he would be guided by public interest, legality and justice in complying with the judgment.

Below are details of the pension of former governors of Lagos.

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.