The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared unlawful the National Assembly’s N110 billion expenditure on vehicles and allowances for lawmakers, ruling that it violated procurement laws, constitutional provisions and public trust.
In a judgment delivered on May 6, 2026, Justice Yellim Bogoro held that the N40 billion vehicle procurement for 465 lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances breached the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and constitutional requirements. The suit was filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The court ruled that the spending was arbitrary, lacked due process and amounted to self-dealing, as lawmakers directly benefited from decisions they approved. It also criticised the allocation amid Nigeria’s economic hardship, saying it failed to prioritise national interest.
Justice Bogoro dismissed claims that separation of powers shielded the National Assembly, insisting that unlawful expenditure remains subject to judicial review. She also found that no credible evidence of competitive bidding or procurement compliance was provided.
The court affirmed SERAP’s right to sue, dismissed procedural objections, and ordered strict adherence to transparency and due process in future spending by the National Assembly. It declared the expenditure unlawful and unconstitutional.
Following the ruling, SERAP and legal advocates hailed the judgment as a major victory for accountability, urging full compliance and reforms in public finance management.
Elijah Adeyemi
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