Court Declares N110bn National Assembly Spending Unlawful

By Tgnews Reporter

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

Justice Yellim Bogoro delivered the judgment in a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the National Assembly leadership, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.

The case challenged the National Assembly’s approval of N40 billion for the procurement of 465 vehicles for lawmakers and an additional N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members.

In her ruling, Justice Bogoro held that the expenditure failed to meet statutory procurement standards and amounted to arbitrary spending of public resources.

According to the court, the absence of demonstrable due process, coupled with the scale of the expenditure, rendered the procurement inconsistent with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

The judge further described the arrangement as a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest, noting that the beneficiaries of the expenditure were the same officials responsible for approving it.

Justice Bogoro observed that the allocation of N110 billion for lawmakers’ benefits came at a time when many Nigerians were facing severe economic hardship, stressing that public officials have a constitutional obligation to prioritize national interest above personal gain.

“The doctrine of separation of powers does not operate as a shield for illegality,” the judge stated, emphasizing that courts retain the authority to review the legality and constitutionality of legislative spending.

The court also ruled that the expenditure undermined the fiduciary duty owed by public officials to citizens and was inconsistent with the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution.

As part of the judgment, the court directed Senator Akpabio and Speaker Abbas to ensure that all future procurement processes and public expenditures undertaken by the National Assembly strictly comply with due process requirements and adhere to the principles of transparency, accountability, and value for money.

Justice Bogoro dismissed objections raised by the defendants regarding the court’s jurisdiction and the absence of a pre-action notice. She held that public interest litigation is recognized under Nigerian law and that SERAP had sufficient legal standing to institute the suit.

The court also ruled that the urgency and public interest nature of the matter exempted it from the requirement of a pre-action notice.

Reacting to the judgment, SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the ruling as a major victory for transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources.

He said the decision reaffirmed the principle that public office is a public trust and that public officials must remain accountable for their use of taxpayers’ funds.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana also welcomed the judgment, commending SERAP for pursuing the case and urging the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to ensure lawmakers’ remuneration complies with constitutional provisions.

The ruling is expected to reignite debate over the cost of governance in Nigeria and increase calls for greater scrutiny of public spending by elected officials amid the country’s economic challenges.