A Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the National Assembly’s spending of N110 billion on vehicles and allowances for lawmakers was unlawful.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Yellim Bogoro held that the expenditure, N40 billion for 465 vehicles and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected lawmakers violated procurement laws, constitutional provisions, and public trust.
The case was filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project ( SERAP) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The Court found that procurement process lacked evidence of due process and was arbitrary and inconsistent with procurement standards.
Lawmakers approved spending from which they directly benefited, creating a conflict of interest and constituting self-dealing.
The Court also found that the N110 billion expenditure failed to prioritize national interest amid widespread economic hardship in Nigeria.
It noted that Legislative autonomy cannot be used as a shield for illegality or constitutional violations.
Public office must not be used for personal enrichment, and public officials must act within constitutional boundaries.
The court directed Akpabio and Abbas to ensure that all future National Assembly spending complies with:
Due process requirements,
Transparency,
Accountability, and
Value-for-money principles.
SERAP argued that the planned spending breached:
The Public Procurement Act 2007,
The Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and Constitutional oath-of-office provisions.
The organisation also challenged the purchase of 465 bulletproof vehicles, which it said would cost about N305 million each.
Jurisdiction Ruling
The court rejected arguments that:
SERAP lacked the legal standing to sue,
The suit required a pre-action notice, and
The matter had become academic because the funds had already been spent.
Justice Bogoro affirmed that public-interest organisations such as SERAP have the right to institute cases aimed at promoting transparency and accountability.
SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare described the judgment as a major victory for transparency and accountability.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana also welcomed the ruling, saying lawmakers’ extravagant spending during a period of economic hardship could not be justified and urging the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to properly regulate lawmakers’ remuneration.
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