In a landmark judgment delivered on May 6, 2026, the Federal High Court in Lagos declared the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion vehicle and allowance schemes unlawful. The court ruled that the planned spending of N40 billion on 465 bulletproof vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional provisions, and the public trust.
Justice Yellim Bogoro, who presided over Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023 brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), held that the expenditure was arbitrary, disproportionate, and inconsistent with statutory standards. The judge noted the absence of due process, competitive bidding, and value-for-money considerations in the procurement.
The court further described the arrangement as a clear case of self-dealing and conflict of interest. This was because the beneficiaries of the expenditure, the lawmakers themselves were also the officials approving it. Justice Bogoro emphasized the economic hardship facing millions of Nigerians and stated that allocating such a huge sum to lawmakers demonstrated a failure to prioritize national interest.
The judgment rejected the National Assembly’s argument of legislative autonomy, affirming that the doctrine of separation of powers does not serve as a shield for illegality. The court stressed its duty to intervene where legislative actions violate the Constitution or statutory provisions, particularly the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and the Oath of Office.
Justice Bogoro ordered Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to ensure that all future procurements and expenditures of public funds by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process, transparency, accountability, and value for money.
SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, welcomed the ruling as a major victory for transparency and responsible management of public resources. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, also commended SERAP and called on the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to enforce constitutional provisions regarding the remuneration of National Assembly members.
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