The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared unlawful the 10th National Assembly’s controversial ₦110 billion vehicle and allowance schemes, ruling that the spending of ₦40bn on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and ₦70bn in support allowances for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and the public trust.
The court also ordered the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas “to ensure that all future procurements or expenditure of public funds by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process requirements and are also guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and value for money”.
The judgment was delivered on May 6, 2026, by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project against the National Assembly, (SERAP).
The certified true copy of the judgment was sighted by newsmen yesterday.
SERAP, in a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said it filed the lawsuit in August 2023 against Akpabio and Abbas, following plans to spend ₦40bn on 465 vehicles and ₦70bn 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”.
She 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 further stated, “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 ₦110bn for the benefit of lawmakers demonstrates a failure to prioritise 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.
“The allocation of ₦110bn 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 office.
“To this end, I have sighted Exhibits A5 and A6 attached to the affidavit supporting the Originating Summons titled: ‘Re: Request to Rescind the Scandalous National Assembly Budget of ₦110 Billion to Buy 465 Bulletproof SUVs and Support New Lawmakers’ “.
SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the ruling as “a major victory for transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources in Nigeria”. He added that the judgment shows that “public office is a public trust”. He urged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to act within its constitutional mandate on lawmakers’ remuneration.
The court declared that the vehicle procurement and allowances breached the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct rules, and constitutional oath provisions, and ordered strict compliance with due process in future spending.
