Court Declares N110bn National Assembly Scheme Unconstitutional

On May 6, 2026, Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos ruled that the National Assembly's N110 billion expenditure for a vehicle procurement and allowance scheme was unconstitutional. The court found that the allocation of N40 billion for the purchase of 465 vehicles and N70 billion for support allowances for newly elected members breached public procurement laws and the code of conduct for public officials.

The ruling followed a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abba, amid Nigeria's economic hardships. Justice Bogoro described the expenditure as arbitrary and disproportionate, failing to comply with statutory procurement standards.

The court rejected the defense's argument regarding legislative autonomy and emphasized the importance of adhering to due process and transparency in public expenditures. SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, welcomed the ruling as a victory for accountability, while human rights lawyer Femi Falana urged compliance with the court's decision to reduce waste in public spending.