The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared unlawful the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion spending plan on vehicles and allowances, ruling that the expenditures violated procurement laws, constitutional standards, and public trust. The judgment, delivered on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, also faulted the process as self-serving and lacking transparency.
The case was filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which challenged plans to spend public funds on lawmakers amid worsening economic hardship in Nigeria.
Justice Yellim Bogoro, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, held that the spending of N40 billion on 465 vehicles and N70 billion in allowances for newly elected lawmakers was arbitrary and lacked due process.
She ruled that the arrangement was “inconsistent with statutory procurement standards,” stressing that the scale of expenditure was unjustifiable without proper safeguards.
The court further noted that the beneficiaries of the expenditure were the same officials approving it, describing it as a clear case of self-dealing and conflict of interest.
According to the judgment, this structure directly violated principles of accountability, as lawmakers stood to gain materially from decisions they influenced.
The court directed Senate President and Speaker of the House to ensure that all future National Assembly spending strictly follows due process.
The ruling emphasized transparency, accountability, and value for money in all public procurement going forward.
The suit was initiated by in August 2023, following public outrage over the proposed spending during a period of economic strain.
The certified true copy of the judgment was obtained last week, confirming the court’s full reasoning and directives.