Court Rules National Assembly's N110 Billion Vehicle Allowance Unlawful

The Federal High Court in Lagos recently declared the National Assembly's N110 billion vehicle allowance scheme unlawful, ruling that the expenditure of N40 billion on 465 vehicles and N70 billion for newly elected members breached procurement laws and constitutional obligations regarding public trust. The court ordered Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abba to ensure future procurement of public funds by the National Assembly complies strictly with due process.

Bamidel, a representative, defended the allowance, stating that lawmakers do not determine their own remuneration, which is fixed by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). He emphasized that the resources provided for official vehicles are intended to support lawmakers in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities rather than for personal benefit, aiming to address public misconceptions and improve understanding of lawmakers' remuneration.