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A Federal High Court in Lagos has declared unlawful the National Assembly's controversial N110 billion expenditure on vehicles and allowances for lawmakers, ruling that the spending violated procurement regulations, constitutional provisions and principles of public accountability.
Justice Yellim Bogoro, who delivered the judgment in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, held that the allocation of N40 billion for the purchase of 465 vehicles and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected legislators failed to meet statutory procurement requirements and amounted to a breach of public trust.
The suit was instituted by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas following the National Assembly\'s approval of the expenditure in 2023.
In the judgment delivered on May 6, 2026, the court ordered the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that all future procurement processes and public spending strictly comply with due process requirements and are guided by transparency, accountability and value-for-money principles.
Justice Bogoro ruled that the scale of the expenditure, coupled with the absence of evidence of due process, rendered the procurement arbitrary, disproportionate and inconsistent with established procurement standards.
The court further held that the lawmakers who approved the expenditure were also its direct beneficiaries, describing the arrangement as a clear case of self-dealing and conflict of interest.
According to the judge, the allocation of N110 billion for lawmakers\' benefit at a time of widespread economic hardship demonstrated a failure to prioritise the interests of Nigerians and undermined the fiduciary responsibilities attached to public office.
She stressed that the doctrine of separation of powers could not be used to shield unlawful conduct, noting that the judiciary retains the authority to examine the legality and constitutionality of legislative spending.
The court also held that public officers must operate within constitutional limits and act in good faith, adding that public office should never be used as a platform for personal enrichment.
SERAP had argued that the planned expenditure breached provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and the oath of office contained in the 1999 Constitution.
The organisation alleged that the National Assembly approved the purchase of 465 bulletproof vehicles at an estimated cost of about N305 million each, describing the expenditure as excessive and inconsistent with existing remuneration guidelines.
In their defence, the National Assembly leadership and lawmakers maintained that the expenditure was lawfully appropriated and argued that the suit was academic since the funds had already been spent.
However, Justice Bogoro rejected the objections, holding that the case raised important constitutional and public interest issues that remained valid despite the completion of the transactions.
The judge also affirmed SERAP\'s legal standing to institute the suit, noting that Nigerian law now recognises public interest litigation and permits non-governmental organisations to challenge actions affecting accountability and transparency in governance.
On the issue of pre-action notice, the court ruled that exceptions exist where matters involve urgency, public interest or fundamental rights, thereby dismissing the defendants\' objections.
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.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) also welcomed the decision, saying lawmakers\' lavish spending amid economic hardship could not be justified and urging the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to discharge its constitutional responsibilities regarding legislators\' remuneration.
The court consequently declared that the vehicle procurement scheme and support allowances violated the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct provisions and constitutional obligations, while directing the National Assembly to adhere strictly to due process in all future expenditure.
