Nigerian court strikes down ₦110bn ($80.7m) lawmakers’ vehicle, allowance scheme

Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Lagos has declared unlawful the National Assembly’s controversial ₦110 billion ($80.74 million) vehicle procurement and lawmakers’ allowance schemes, ruling that the spending violated procurement regulations, constitutional requirements and principles of accountability in the management of public funds.

The expenditure included ₦40 billion ($29.36 million) for 465 vehicles and ₦70 billion ($51.38 million) in support allowances for newly elected lawmakers, according to court documents reviewed by the court.

Justice Yellim Bogoro held that the spending failed to meet statutory procurement standards and did not adequately reflect the public interest at a time of widespread economic hardship across Nigeria.

The ruling comes at a time when many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship, a factor the court said could not be ignored when assessing the legality and public interest implications of the expenditure.

Government Accountability and Public Finance Under Scrutiny

In the judgment, Justice Bogoro said the scale of the spending and the absence of demonstrable due process made the procurement arbitrary and inconsistent with statutory standards.

“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,” the judge held.

The court further noted that lawmakers were both the beneficiaries and approvers of the expenditure, describing the arrangement as a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest.

Justice Bogoro stated that allocating N110 billion primarily for lawmakers’ benefit during widespread economic hardship represented a failure to prioritize national interest.

Public Procurement Act 2007 and Constitutional Compliance

The court emphasised that legislative autonomy does not shield public institutions from legal scrutiny.

“The doctrine of separation of powers does not operate as a shield for illegality,” Justice Bogoro said.

The judge ruled that the expenditure violated provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007, constitutional obligations and standards expected of public officers.

The court also ordered Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to ensure that future National Assembly spending complies strictly with due process, transparency, accountability and value-for-money principles.

SERAP Wins Public Interest Litigation Test

A major aspect of the judgment was the court’s recognition of SERAP’s right to bring the case on behalf of the public.

Justice Bogoro held that modern legal standards recognize public interest litigation and that civil society organizations can seek judicial intervention where issues of accountability and public finance arise.

The ruling reinforces the role of courts in reviewing government spending decisions and may influence future debates on government accountability, public finance, and constitutional compliance in Nigeria.

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