ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared the National Assembly’s N110 billion vehicle and allowance expenditure unlawful, ruling that the allocation of N40 billion for 465 vehicles and N70 billion for support allowances for newly elected lawmakers violated procurement regulations, constitutional provisions, and principles of public accountability.
The court further ordered the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, “to ensure that all future procurements or expenditure of public funds by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process requirements and are also guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and value for money.”
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project against the National Assembly.
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The certified true copy of the judgment was sighted on Sunday.
SERAP, in a statement issued by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said it filed the suit in August 2023 challenging the planned spending of N40 billion on vehicles and N70 billion in allowances for new lawmakers amid rising economic hardship in the country.
In the judgment, Justice Bogoro held that “looking at the magnitude of the expenditure, coupled with the absence of demonstrable due process, leads me to conclude that the procurement is arbitrary, disproportionate and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards.”
She further ruled that “the beneficiaries of the expenditure are the very officials approving it, and the expenditure confers direct pecuniary and material benefits. This to my mind constitutes a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest.”
Justice Bogoro also noted that “I have taken judicial notice of the economic realities in Nigeria and the widespread financial hardship affecting Nigerian citizens. In this context, the allocation of N110 billion for the benefit of lawmakers demonstrates a failure to prioritise national interest.
“The Defendants have urged the Court to decline jurisdiction on grounds of legislative autonomy. It should be noted that the doctrine of separation of powers does not operate as a shield for illegality. It is noteworthy to state that the Court is concerned on the legality and constitutionality of legislative spending.
“The allocation of N110 billion for the benefit of lawmakers also undermines the fiduciary duty owed to the Nigerian people. Public office must not be used for personal enrichment.
Public officers must act within constitutional boundaries and in good faith. I hold that the conduct complained of is inconsistent with the oath of office.
“The Defendants [Mr. Akpabio, Mr. Abbas, and members of the Senate and House of Representatives] formulated two principal issues for determination in response to SERAP’s Originating Summons; firstly: ‘Whether in the circumstances of this case, this Honourable Court possesses the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the suit.’
“Secondly, ‘Whether SERAP has adduced sufficient evidence to warrant the grant of the declarations, orders, and injunctions sought.’
“The gravamen of SERAP’s case is that the planned use of the N40 billion for procurement of vehicles and N70 billion as support allowances under the Supplementary Appropriation Act 2022 (signed in 2023) is unlawful and in breach of Section 57(4) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007; paragraph 1 Part 1, Fifth Schedule (Code of Conduct for Public Officers) and Oath of Office under the Seventh Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].
“Brief facts of the case show that the Defendants allegedly approved the purchase of 465 bulletproof vehicles at about N305 million per vehicle, bringing the total project cost to N110 billion; that the expenditure is excessive and violates the Nigerian Constitution, the Public Procurement Act 2007, and the remuneration framework of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
“It is the submission of SERAP that it wrote to the Defendants requesting a reversal of the decision which was ignored. The Defendants denied the allegations and argued that the claims were based on media speculation, that the expenditure was lawful and appropriated, that the funds had been spent, and that the suit was academic and incompetent for lack of pre-action notice.
“SERAP further submitted that the suit raises live constitutional issues; that declaratory reliefs are still grantable even after completion of the act; and that pre-action notice was not required due to urgency and public interest.
“On jurisdictional issues, I have from the singular question formulated these issues for determination: (1) whether SERAP has the requisite locus standi to institute this action; (2) whether failure to serve pre-action notice is fatal to this suit; (3) whether this suit has been overtaken by events; and (4) whether SERAP has established entitlement to the relief sought.
“On whether SERAP has locus standi to have brought this suit, I will state that the law has now evolved to recognise public interest litigation. NGOs (as SERAP in this suit) can institute actions to protect public interest.
“From the facts deposed and given the nature of the suit, SERAP being a public interest organisation committed to transparency and accountability has demonstrated sufficient interest. I therefore hold that SERAP has locus standi to sue, as the matters are of undeniable public concern.
“On the issue of non-issuance of pre-action notice to the 1st Defendant, Section 21 of the Legislative House (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017 provides thus: ‘A person who has cause of action against a Legislative House shall serve a three months written notice to the office of the Clerk of the Legislative House disclosing the cause of action and relief sought.’
“The Defendants contended that failure to serve a pre-action notice is fatal; ordinarily that is the correct position. However, there are exceptions to this general rule. Pre-action notice is not mandatory where the matter is urgent or where the matter involves public interest or fundamental rights.”
On jurisdictional objections, the court held that legislative autonomy does not shield illegality, stressing that courts retain authority where constitutional breaches are established.
SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the ruling as “a major victory for transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources in Nigeria,” adding that “public office is a public trust.”
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), was also quoted as saying SERAP “deserves commendation,” while urging stronger oversight of lawmakers’ remuneration.
The court ultimately held that the vehicle procurement and allowance schemes breached procurement laws, the Code of Conduct rules, and constitutional oath provisions, and ordered strict adherence to due process in future public spending.