Nigeria: Court nullifies National Assembly’s N110 billion SUV, allowance spending
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared the National Assembly’s N110 billion vehicle and allowance schemes unlawful, ruling that spending N40 billion on 465 SUVs for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for new members breached the Public Procurement Act, constitutional obligations, and the public trust.
Justice Yellim Bogoro delivered the judgment on May 6, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023 filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The court held that the procurement was “arbitrary, disproportionate and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards,” noting that the beneficiaries were the same officials approving the spending. Justice Bogoro described it as “self-dealing and conflict of interest,” adding that the allocation undermined lawmakers’ fiduciary duty to Nigerians amid widespread economic hardship.
She rejected the National Assembly’s argument that the court lacked jurisdiction on grounds of legislative autonomy, stating that “the doctrine of separation of powers does not operate as a shield for illegality.” The court also affirmed SERAP’s locus standi, ruling that public interest organizations can bring suits to protect accountability in public spending.
Justice Bogoro granted three key reliefs:
A declaration that using N40 billion to buy 465 bulletproof vehicles for lawmakers breached the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and the Oath of Office.
A declaration that the N70 billion support allowance for new members also violated constitutional and statutory obligations.
An order directing the National Assembly to ensure all future procurements and public spending comply strictly with due process, transparency, accountability, and value for money.
SERAP welcomed the judgment as a victory for transparency and accountability, urging the National Assembly to immediately comply. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, said the ruling confirmed that lawmakers cannot justify “obscene opulence” while Nigerians face poverty, and called on the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to enforce constitutional limits on lawmakers’ pay and allowances.
