The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared the National Assembly’s N110 billion expenditure on vehicles and support allowances for lawmakers unlawful, describing the spending as a violation of procurement regulations, constitutional provisions, and public trust.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro, the court held that the allocation of N40 billion for the purchase of 465 vehicles and N70 billion as support allowances for newly elected lawmakers failed to comply with due process requirements.
The case, filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, challenged the legality of the spending approved in 2023.
Justice Bogoro ruled that the scale of the expenditure, coupled with the absence of evidence showing compliance with procurement procedures, rendered the spending arbitrary and inconsistent with statutory standards. She further noted that lawmakers, who approved the expenditure, were also its direct beneficiaries, creating a conflict of interest and raising concerns of self-dealing.
The judge stated that, given Nigeria’s prevailing economic hardship, allocating N110 billion for lawmakers’ benefit reflected a failure to prioritise the interests of citizens. She emphasised that legislative autonomy does not shield public officials from judicial scrutiny where allegations of illegality and constitutional violations are involved.
According to the court, public officers are obligated to act in good faith and within constitutional limits, stressing that public office should not be used for personal enrichment.
The court also rejected objections raised by the defendants regarding jurisdiction, pre-action notice requirements, and SERAP’s legal standing. Justice Bogoro held that public interest organisations such as SERAP have the right to institute legal actions aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in government.
She further ruled that the urgency and public importance of the matter justified exceptions to the requirement for a pre-action notice.
As part of the judgment, the court directed Akpabio and Abbas to ensure that all future National Assembly procurements and public expenditures strictly comply with due process principles, transparency, accountability, and value for money.
Reacting to the ruling, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the judgment as a significant victory for accountability and responsible management of public resources.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana also welcomed the decision, stating that the lavish spending could not be justified at a time when many Nigerians are facing severe economic challenges. He urged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to fully exercise its constitutional responsibility regarding lawmakers’ remuneration.
The court ultimately declared that the vehicle procurement and support allowances violated the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and constitutional oath provisions, while ordering stricter compliance with legal spending procedures in future legislative expenditures.
