By Seyi Odewale
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded the immediate refund of N110 billion spent on vehicle procurement and support allowances for members of the National Assembly, insisting that lawmakers cannot continue to benefit from funds a court has declared unlawfully expended.
The organisation gave Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and the National Assembly seven days to ensure that all monies, allowances and benefits derived from the controversial expenditure are returned to the public treasury.
SERAP also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to implement effective safeguards to ensure that future spending complies with procurement laws, constitutional requirements, and the principles of transparency, accountability, and value for money.
The demand was contained in a letter dated June 20, 2026, signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, following a judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos which declared the expenditure unlawful.
Justice Yellim Bogoro, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, had held that the spending of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for federal lawmakers and N70 billion as support allowances for newly elected members violated procurement laws, constitutional obligations and the public trust.
Relying on the judgment, SERAP argued that lawmakers should not be allowed to retain benefits derived from conduct already adjudged unlawful by a competent court.
“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 maintained that permitting lawmakers to keep benefits arising from the expenditure would undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and weaken efforts to combat corruption and abuse of office.
“Allowing lawmakers to retain benefits derived from unlawful and unconstitutional expenditure would be entirely inconsistent with the constitutional duty to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power,” it said.
The group further argued that restitution was necessary to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability in public office.
“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 added.
According to the organisation, although the court did not expressly order a refund of the N110 billion, the judgment provides a strong legal basis for recovering the funds when read alongside constitutional provisions, anti-corruption laws and Nigeria’s international obligations.
It stressed that where public funds have been expended in breach of procurement laws and constitutional provisions, the rule of law requires that such benefits be reversed and fully accounted for.
SERAP further noted that Justice Bogoro found the expenditure “tainted by self-dealing, conflict of interest, and a failure to prioritise the national interest,” thereby making the case for restitution even more compelling.
Beyond the refund demand, the organisation called on the National Assembly to institutionalise public hearings on its annual budget and proactively publish detailed budgetary and expenditure information to enhance transparency and public participation in the legislative budgeting process.
“The National Assembly cannot fully give effect to the spirit and purpose of the judgment while its members continue to retain benefits derived from conduct declared unlawful by the Court,” SERAP said.
It warned that failure to comply with its demands within seven days would leave it with no option but to initiate legal proceedings against the leadership of the National Assembly and other lawmakers to secure the recovery and return of the N110 billion.
“The reimbursement of unlawfully obtained benefits would help to restore public trust, deter future abuses, protect the right to development, and ensure that public resources are used for the benefit of the Nigerian people rather than for private enrichment,” the organisation said.
