By Seun Ibiyemi
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to ensure the recovery and return of N110 billion allegedly spent on vehicle procurement and support allowances for federal lawmakers following a Federal High Court judgment declaring the expenditure unlawful.
In a letter dated June 20, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the leadership of the National Assembly to compel members of both chambers who benefited from the schemes to refund all monies, allowances, and benefits derived from the controversial expenditure.
The rights group also called on the National Assembly to immediately establish effective mechanisms to ensure that future procurement processes and public spending strictly comply with due process requirements and are guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, and value for money.
Additionally, SERAP recommended the institutionalisation of public hearings on the National Assembly’s budget during every budget cycle and the proactive publication of detailed budgetary allocations and expenditure records to strengthen transparency, public confidence, and citizen participation in the budgeting process.
The demands follow a judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, which found that the expenditure of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and public trust.
According to SERAP, the court’s findings established that the schemes were implemented in violation of the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, constitutional oaths of office, and the principles of accountability and transparency.
“Flowing from Justice Bogoro’s judgment, there must be consequences and full restitution for the lawmakers’ failure to comply with their constitutional and statutory obligations, particularly in relation to the unlawful expenditure of the N110 billion, as found by the Court,” the organisation stated.
SERAP argued that allowing lawmakers to retain benefits derived from expenditure declared unlawful and unconstitutional would undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and conflict with constitutional provisions aimed at eliminating corruption and abuse of power.
The organisation maintained that while the judgment did not expressly order a refund of the N110 billion, it provides a strong legal and factual basis for restitution when considered alongside the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, anti-corruption laws, and Nigeria’s international obligations.
“No public official should be permitted to retain benefits obtained through conduct that has been judicially determined to be unlawful and unconstitutional.
Restitution is necessary to uphold the rule of law, restore public trust, and ensure accountability for violations of constitutional and statutory duties,” SERAP said.
The group further noted that Justice Bogoro found evidence of self-dealing, conflict of interest, and failure to prioritise the national interest in the implementation of the expenditure schemes.
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According to the organisation, effective compliance mechanisms are necessary to prevent a recurrence of unlawful spending and ensure that constitutional and statutory safeguards governing public expenditure are strictly observed.
SERAP warned that if the National Assembly leadership fails to act within seven days of receiving the letter, it will initiate legal proceedings against the presiding officers, lawmakers, and the National Assembly to secure the recovery and return of the N110 billion in the public interest.
The organisation stressed that accountability remains a foundational principle of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy and that the National Assembly has a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of transparency, legality, and integrity in the management of public resources.
It added that the reimbursement of unlawfully obtained benefits would help restore public trust, deter future abuses, protect citizens’ right to development, and ensure that public resources are deployed for national development rather than private gain.
