Petition cites IPPIS payslip showing Martins collecting lecturer salary while serving in State Assembly
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has been petitioned to investigate Mr. Achadu Ogiji-Idaga Martins, a member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, over allegations of illegal double remuneration from public funds.
The petition, filed by the Global Peoples Rights & Values Observation Network (GPR&VON), accuses the lawmaker of simultaneously collecting a salary as a legislator and as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Calabar.
In a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, the civil society organization argued that Martins’ continued presence on the federal payroll constitutes a violation of relevant laws prohibiting public officers from drawing emoluments from two sources at once.
According to the group, Martins was elected and took the Oath of Office as a member of the Cross River State House of Assembly in June 2023. However, they claim he never resigned from his academic position.
“Despite his assumption of legislative office, an IPPIS payslip for October 2024 indicates that he remained on the payroll of the University of Calabar as an Assistant Lecturer under the CONUASS salary structure,” the petition read.
The group attached a copy of the payslip as evidence. The document, marked “Confidential,” shows Martins earning a gross monthly salary of 216,642.75, with a net take-home pay of ₦175,109.58. The payslip lists his employer as the University of Calabar and his job title as Assistant Lecturer.
The GPR&VON stated that they are committed to “democratic accountability, transparency, constitutional compliance, and credible electoral processes within political institutions in Nigeria.”
They have urged the ICPC to investigate the matter and take necessary action to recover any funds allegedly illegally collected by the lawmaker.
The allegation highlights a recurring issue in the Nigerian public sector, where officials are often found drawing salaries from multiple government agencies simultaneously, a practice commonly referred to as “double dipping.”
As of press time, Mr. Martins or his representatives have not issued a statement regarding the allegations. The ICPC has yet to publicly respond to the petition.
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