Recovered loot: SERAP commences contempt suit against govt

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has commenced contempt proceedings against the Federal Government, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Alhaji Ahmed Idris Accountant-General of the Federation “for failing to comply with the judgment ordering publication of the spending of recovered stolen funds since return of democracy in 1999.”

The form 48 contempt suit was filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos last week by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni “following the service on Mr Malami and Alhaji Idris of the certified true copy of the judgment of 24 March 2016 by Justice Muhammed Idris.”

Form 48 which is the notice of consequence of disobedience of court orders reads in part: “Unless you obey the orders of the court contained on the reverse side of this process you shall be deemed to have disobeyed the orders of the court and shall be liable to committed to prison for contempt.”

Mumuni said, “Despite the service of the certified true copy of the judgment on both the Attorney General of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federation they have failed and/or neglected to acknowledge the judgment let alone obey it.

”It’s unacceptable to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, for a ride. A democratic state based on the rule of law cannot exist or function, if the government ignores and/or fails to abide by Court orders.”

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