A civil society organisation has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate a member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Achadu Ogiji-Idaga Martins, over allegations of receiving salaries from two public institutions.
The petition was filed by the Global Peoples Rights & Values Observation Network (GPR&VON), which accused the lawmaker of allegedly receiving remuneration as a member of the state legislature while remaining on the payroll of the University of Calabar as an Assistant Lecturer.
In a formal petition to the Chairman of the ICPC, the organisation alleged that Martins continued to receive his federal government salary after assuming office as a member of the Cross River State House of Assembly in June 2023.
According to the group, the lawmaker did not resign from his academic position at the University of Calabar after taking the oath of office as a legislator.
GPR&VON reportedly attached an October 2024 IPPIS payslip to its petition as evidence of the alleged continued payment. The document allegedly lists Martins as an Assistant Lecturer under the CONUASS salary structure, with a gross monthly salary of ₦216,642.75 and a net pay of ₦175,109.58.
The civil society group argued that the alleged simultaneous receipt of public funds from the university and the state legislature could amount to a violation of relevant laws prohibiting public officers from receiving remuneration from two government sources.
It consequently called on the ICPC to investigate the matter and take appropriate action if the allegations are established, including the recovery of any funds allegedly collected unlawfully.
However, the allegations have not been proven in court.
As of the time of filing this report, Achadu Martins or his representatives had not publicly responded to the allegations. The ICPC has also not publicly confirmed whether it has commenced an investigation into the petition.
The case is expected to generate further public debate over the legality of public officers retaining government employment and salaries after assuming elected political positions.
Post A Comment: