COURT DECLARES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S N110BN SUV, ALLOWANCE SCHEME UNLAWFUL

Read Time:25 Minute, 16 Second

The Federal High Court in Lagos has made a major decision, saying that the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion vehicle and allowance plans are illegal. The court found that spending N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion on support allowances for newly elected members broke procurement rules, violated the constitution, and went against the public‘s trust.

The court also told the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, to make sure that any future purchases or use of public money by the National Assembly follows proper procedures and is done with transparency, accountability, and good value for money.

The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023 brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the National Assembly. The certified true copy of the judgment was obtained last week.

SERAP filed the lawsuit in August 2023 against Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas, for themselves and on behalf of members of their respective chambers, following plans to spend N40 billion on 465 vehicles and N70 billion in allowances for new lawmakers amid worsening economic hardship across the country.

In her 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.”

Justice Bogoro also held 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’s judgment, read in part: “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 prioritize 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.”

Justice Bogoro’s judgment, read in part: “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 officе.”

“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.’

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