A former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro, may get about N545, 513,826.75 in entitlements after his impeachment was revoked by the Lagos State House of Assembly, The PUNCH has learnt.
It will be recalled that Pedro, who served as the deputy to former Governor Bola Tinubu between 2002 and 2007, was impeached for gross misconduct and disloyalty to Tinubu when he defected from the then Action Congress to the Labour Party to run for governor.
Due to his impeachment, Pedro was not given any entitlements. However, following his recent reinstatement by the Lagos State House of Assembly, the former deputy governor will be entitled to allowances, vehicles, domestic staff and a house, dating back to nine years.
A former deputy governor is entitled to the payment of pension and other benefits as provided for under the Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law No. 11 Official Gazette of Lagos State, 2007.
A former number two citizen of Lagos State is also entitled to an annual basic salary equal to 100 per cent of the annual salary of the incumbent deputy governor of Lagos State, subject to review every five years or salary review by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, in line with section 210 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended in 2011.
The annual basic salary of a deputy governor is N2, 112, 215, which if multiplied by nine years, amounts to N19, 009,9350.
The law states that the deputy shall be entitled to furniture allowance which is 300 per cent of the annual basic salary every two years. This implies that Pedro is entitled to N28, 514, 902.5.
According to the pension law, a former deputy governor is to get a house maintenance allowance, which is 10 per cent of annual basic salary. This amounts to N1, 900,993.5 in nine years.
The law stipulates that the former number two citizen of Lagos State is entitled to a personal assistant who will be paid 25 per cent of the deputy governor’s annual basic salary. This adds up to N4, 752,483.75 in nine years.
Pedro is also entitled to a utility allowance, which is 20 per cent of his annual basic salary. This translates to N3, 801, 987 in nine years.
The deputy governor is also entitled to one residential house in Lagos at any location of his or her choice.
Although no actual figure was placed on how much the house would cost, our correspondent estimated that the cost to build Pedro’s house might be the same with the amount spent on the construction of a house for the immediate past Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, whose house on 15 Cameron Drive, Ikoyi, cost the state N329, 929,551, according to the Lagos State 2014 budget.
The deputy governor is also entitled to two cars, one back-up car and one pilot car, to be replaced every three years. The two cars, which are usually a bulletproof Sports Utility Vehicle and a Hilux van, approximately cost N50m which amounts to N150m in nine years.
The law stipulates that the former deputy governor is entitled to a car maintenance allowance, which is 30 per cent of his annual basic salary. This amounts to N5, 702, 980.5 in nine years.
It adds that the governor is entitled to an entertainment allowance, which is 10 per cent of annual basic salary. In nine years, it adds up to N1, 900, 993.5.
Apart from monetary allowances, Pedro is also entitled to special privileges.
The law adds that the former deputy governor is entitled to domestic staff comprising a cook, a steward, a gardener and other domestic staff who shall be pensionable.
The ex-deputy governor and members of his or her family are entitled to free medical treatment.
The ex-number two citizen of the state is also entitled to one Department of State Services operative and two policemen (one each for house and personal security).
Speaking with our correspondent, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Mr. Tunde Braimoh said it was the prerogative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to determine how much Pedro would be given.
He, however, said since the government had shown Pedro mercy, it would not be proper for Pedro to demand for all arrears.
When contacted, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said Pedro was entitled to all the benefits as stated in the pension law.
He, however, said the former governor had not yet approached the state government with his demands.
Ayorinde said, “Our position is that since he has been pardoned by the House, he will be entitled to what is contained in the law that was passed during the Asiwaju Tinubu administration regarding public officers’ allowances.”
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