Court Knocks NASS Over N110bn Vehicle Purchase, Says It’s Illegal

The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared unlawful the decision by the National Assembly to allocate to themselves N110 billion for the purchase of vehicles and other allowances.

In the judgment  delivered on May 6, 2026 by Justice Yellim Bogoro, in the suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project SERAP, the court ruled that the lawmakers abused the procurement law by approving the humongous amount for themselves, adding that their action also constitutes abuse of public trust and the principle of separation of powers.

The judgment came as the court rejected the objections by NASS that SERAP has no locus standi to file the suit on the matter, saying the law gives non-governmental organisations asuch as SERAP to approach the court on matter concerning public  interest.

“From the facts deposed and given the nature of the suit, SERAP being a public interest organization committed to transparency and accountability has demonstrated sufficient interest. I therefore hold that SERAP has locus standi to sue, as the matters are of undeniable public concern,” the judge ruled.

Recall that  SERAP, had in 2023 dragged the NASS to the court over the issue, praying for a court pronouncement on whether the decision by the lawmakers to allocate N40 billion for the purchase of 465 vehicles for themselves and N70 billion as support allowance,  was in tandem with the law.

In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass the right body had described the action as arbitrary and abuse of the nation’s procurement law.

According to a statement shared with journalists t the weekend, SERAP said the court, declared in its ruling that the NASS must comply with the procurement process in their future transactions as regard public funds. The court also ruled that the fact that the lawmakers are the beneficiaries of the N110 billion expenditure has created a conflict of interest on the issue.

Justice Bogoro stated in the judgment that the fact that the NASS chose to approved the huge funds to themselves at a time when there is a serious hardship in the country, saying their action is not in public interest and not in tune with the current realities in the country, adding that public office should not be used for personal enrichment.

Justice Bogoro ruled: “The beneficiaries of the expenditure are the very officials approving it, and the expenditure confers direct pecuniary and material benefits. This to my mind constitutes a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest,

“I have taken judicial notice of the economic realities in Nigeria and the widespread financial hardship affecting Nigerian citizens. In this context, the allocation of N110 Billion for the benefit of lawmakers demonstrates a failure to prioritize national interest.

“Public office must not be used for personal enrichment. Public Officers must act within constitutional boundaries and in good faith. I hold that the conduct complained of is inconsistent with the oath of office.

“From the facts deposed and given the nature of the suit, SERAP being a public interest organization committed to transparency and accountability has demonstrated sufficient interest. I therefore hold that SERAP has locus standi to sue, as the matters are of undeniable public concern.”