The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion expenditure on luxury vehicles and lawmaker allowances unlawful, delivering a major blow to legislative spending.
In a landmark judgment, Justice Yellim Bogoro ruled that the massive financial allocation violated Nigeria’s procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and the public trust.
The legal battle focused on funds approved within a supplementary budget framework, which included N40 billion allocated for the procurement of 465 bulletproof and luxury utility vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion Set aside as “support allowances” for newly elected members of the 10th National Assembly.
The suit (No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023) was originally filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the leadership of the National Assembly, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
In her ruling, Justice Bogoro rejected arguments by the defense that the doctrine of separation of powers shielded legislative spending from judicial review. She noted that the National Assembly completely failed to provide credible evidence of competitive bidding or value-for-money assessments.
“Looking at the magnitude of the expenditure, coupled with the absence of demonstrable due process, leads me to conclude that the procurement is arbitrary, disproportionate, and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards,” Justice Bogoro stated.
The court further heavily criticized the conflict of interest inherent in the budget allocation, noting that the lawmakers approving the exorbitant package were its primary beneficiaries. “This, to my mind, constitutes a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest,” the judge remarked.
Taking strict judicial notice of Nigeria’s current economic climate, the court emphasized that public officials owe a fiduciary duty to the citizens they represent. Justice Bogoro ruled that the N110 billion package demonstrated a blatant failure to prioritize the national interest during a time of widespread financial hardship for everyday Nigerians.
“Public office must not be used for personal enrichment. Public officers must act within constitutional boundaries and in good faith,” the ruling read.
Following the release of the certified true copy of the judgment, SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare hailed the verdict as a historic win for transparent governance.
”This landmark judgment is a major victory for transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources in Nigeria,” Oluwadare said in a statement.
The court has ordered the National Assembly to ensure that all future legislative spending strictly adheres to statutory due process, competitive bidding, and transparent public finance standards.
