The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared unlawful the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion vehicle and allowance schemes, ruling that the expenditure violated procurement laws, constitutional obligations and the public trust.
Justice Yellim Bogoro delivered the judgment on May 6, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023 filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and members of both chambers. A certified true copy of the judgment was obtained last week.
SERAP filed the suit in August 2023 after reports that the National Assembly planned to spend N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion as support allowances for newly elected members, amid worsening economic hardship in the country.
In her judgment, Justice Bogoro held that the scale of the expenditure, combined with the absence of clear evidence of due process, made the procurement “arbitrary, disproportionate and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards.” She also ruled that the spending amounted to self-dealing because the lawmakers approving the funds were also the direct beneficiaries.
The court held that the allocation breached Section 57(4) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007; paragraph 1 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers under the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution; and the oath of office sworn by members of the National Assembly.
Justice Bogoro rejected the defendants’ argument that the court lacked jurisdiction because of legislative autonomy. She ruled that the doctrine of separation of powers could not be used as a shield for illegality, adding that the court had a duty to examine the legality and constitutionality of public spending.
The judge also held that SERAP had the locus standi to bring the case, noting that public interest organisations can sue to protect transparency, accountability and responsible use of public funds.
The court further ordered Akpabio and Abbas to ensure that all future procurements and expenditure by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process and are guided by transparency, accountability and value for money.
Reacting to the judgment, SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare described it as a major victory for accountability and responsible management of public resources.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, also welcomed the ruling, urging the National Assembly to obey the judgment and calling on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to enforce its constitutional powers over lawmakers’ salaries and allowances.
SERAP has since written to Akpabio and Abbas, urging immediate compliance with the court’s decision.
