A Federal High Court in Lagos has declared unlawful the National Assembly’s proposed N110 billion expenditure on vehicles and allowances for lawmakers, ruling that the allocations violated procurement laws, constitutional provisions and principles of public accountability.

Delivering judgment in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, Justice Yellim Bogoro held that the planned spending of N40 billion on the purchase of 465 vehicles for federal legislators and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members failed to comply with due process requirements under the Public Procurement Act, 2007.

The suit was filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, challenging the expenditure as wasteful and unjustifiable.

Justice Bogoro ruled that the beneficiaries of the spending were the same officials who approved it, creating a clear conflict of interest and raising concerns over self-dealing. The court also observed that the expenditure failed to reflect the need to prioritise citizens’ welfare amid prevailing economic challenges.

The court affirmed SERAP’s legal standing to institute the action and rejected arguments that the suit had become academic, holding that constitutional and public interest issues remained valid even after the implementation of disputed actions.

In its findings, the court held that the National Assembly failed to demonstrate compliance with procurement procedures, competitive bidding requirements and value-for-money standards, contrary to provisions of the Public Procurement Act and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

Consequently, the court declared both the N40 billion vehicle procurement and the N70 billion allowance scheme unconstitutional and unlawful. It also directed the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that future public expenditures comply with due process, transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility.