A Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the National Assembly’s N110 billion expenditure on vehicles and support allowances for lawmakers was unlawful, saying the spending violated procurement rules and constitutional standards.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro in a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which challenged the approval of N40 billion for vehicles and N70 billion in allowances for newly elected legislators.
The court held that the expenditure failed to meet legal requirements for transparency, accountability and value for money. According to the ruling, the scale of the spending and the absence of evidence showing strict compliance with due process made the procurement exercise unlawful.
Justice Bogoro also directed Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to ensure that future spending by the National Assembly follows procurement laws and principles of good governance.
The judge said lawmakers were both the beneficiaries and approvers of the expenditure, creating a conflict of interest and raising concerns about the proper use of public funds. The court further noted that the spending came at a time of widespread economic hardship across Nigeria.
Rejecting arguments that the legislature’s autonomy placed the matter beyond judicial review, the court stressed that the principle of separation of powers does not protect unlawful actions from scrutiny.
The ruling also affirmed SERAP’s right to bring the case, stating that public-interest groups can seek legal remedies on issues involving accountability and the management of public resources.
Reacting to the judgment, SERAP described it as a major victory for transparency and accountability. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana also welcomed the decision, saying public office holders must be accountable for how public funds are spent.
The court concluded that the vehicle procurement and allowance payments breached provisions of the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and constitutional obligations governing public service.
