Federal High Court Rules Against National Assembly's N110bn Expenditure on SUVs and Allowances

In a landmark judgment, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared the National Assembly's plan to spend N110 billion on vehicles and allowances for lawmakers as unlawful. The court, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, made this declaration in a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the National Assembly. According to Justice Bogoro, the procurement of 465 vehicles at a cost of N40 billion and the payment of N70 billion in support allowances to newly elected members breach procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and the public trust. The judgment, delivered on May 6, 2026, also ordered the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the 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 guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, and value for money. SERAP had filed the lawsuit in August 2023, following the National Assembly's plan 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 stated that the magnitude of the expenditure, coupled with the absence of demonstrable due process, leads to the conclusion that the procurement is arbitrary, disproportionate, and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards. The court also held that the beneficiaries of the expenditure are the very officials approving it, and the expenditure confers direct pecuniary and material benefits, constituting a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest. The judgment has been hailed as a major victory for transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources in Nigeria. SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the ruling as a significant step towards ensuring that public office is a public trust. Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), also commended SERAP for the judgment, stating that lawmakers' lifestyle choices amid hardship cannot be justified.