A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion vehicle procurement and lawmakers’ allowance scheme unlawful, ruling that the expenditure violated procurement laws, constitutional provisions, and principles of public accountability.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro in a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), invalidated the allocation of N40 billion for 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members of the National Assembly.
The court held that the spending was arbitrary, excessive, and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards, stressing that public office holders have a fiduciary duty to ensure that public funds are used strictly in the public interest and in line with due process.
In its ruling, the court also rejected arguments by the National Assembly that the matter was protected by legislative autonomy, stating that the principle of separation of powers does not shield unlawful conduct from judicial review.
Justice Bogoro further observed that allocating such a large sum for lawmakers’ benefits amid widespread economic hardship reflected a failure to prioritise national interest and contradicted constitutional expectations of transparency and accountability in public spending.
The court consequently ordered the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that all future procurements and expenditures comply strictly with due process, transparency, and value-for-money principles.
In a statement following the judgment, SERAP described the ruling as a significant victory for accountability and responsible governance in Nigeria.
