A Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the National Assembly’s N110 billion expenditure on vehicles and support allowances for lawmakers was unlawful, declaring that the spending violated procurement laws, constitutional provisions, and principles of transparency and accountability.
Delivering judgment on May 6, 2026, Justice Yellim Bogoro held that the allocation of N40 billion for the purchase of 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members of the National Assembly breached the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and the lawmakers’ oath of office.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, was filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in August 2023 against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas over plans to spend the funds amid widespread economic hardship in Nigeria.
Justice Bogoro described the expenditure as arbitrary, disproportionate, and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards, noting that the lawmakers who approved the spending were also its beneficiaries.
According to the court, the arrangement amounted to self-dealing and a conflict of interest, as it provided direct financial and material benefits to the same officials responsible for authorising it.
The judge further stated that the allocation failed to reflect national priorities at a time when many Nigerians were facing severe economic challenges.
Rejecting the defendants’ argument that the court lacked jurisdiction due to legislative autonomy, Justice Bogoro stressed that the doctrine of separation of powers could not be used to shield unlawful conduct, adding that the court’s concern was the legality and constitutionality of legislative spending.
The court also found that the National Assembly failed to provide evidence showing compliance with procurement procedures, competitive bidding requirements, and value-for-money assessments.
In its ruling, the court affirmed SERAP’s legal standing to institute the case, noting that public interest litigation allows non-governmental organisations to seek judicial intervention in matters affecting the public good.
Justice Bogoro further held that the matter was not academic despite the funds having already been spent, explaining that courts can still grant declaratory reliefs after the completion of a challenged action.
Consequently, the court declared both the N40 billion vehicle procurement plan and the N70 billion support allowance scheme unconstitutional and unlawful.
It also directed the National Assembly to ensure that all future procurement and public expenditure strictly comply with due process, transparency, accountability, and value-for-money principles.
Reacting to the judgment, SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare described the ruling as a significant victory for transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources. He urged the National Assembly leadership to comply with the decision, saying it would strengthen the rule of law and public confidence in governance.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana also welcomed the judgment, stating that it reinforced the principle that public funds must be used in the public interest. He called on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to exercise its constitutional authority over lawmakers’ salaries and allowances and urged the National Assembly to obey the court’s decision.
Falana added that reducing wasteful public spending would free up resources for critical sectors, including security, intelligence gathering, law enforcement, and social welfare programmes.
