N110 billion for lawmakers vehicles and allowances declared unlawful by court

So last Wednesday, Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos dropped a bombshell. He declared the National Assembly's N110 billion vehicle and allowance scheme unlawful. This is the money they planned to spend on 465 vehicles for lawmakers (N40 billion) and support allowances for newly elected members (N70 billion). The court said it violated the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and constitutional provisions. No due process, no competitive bidding, no value-for-money. Just pure self-service.

The case was filed by SERAP back in August 2023 against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. The court found that the whole arrangement was arbitrary and disproportionate. Even worse, it amounted to self-dealing and conflict of interest because the lawmakers who approved the spending were also the beneficiaries. Justice Bogoro said, and I quote: "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." That is a direct slap.

The court also dismissed the argument about legislative autonomy being a shield. It said separation of powers does not protect illegality. SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare called it a landmark judgment for transparency and accountability. But here is the thing — the money has already been spent. The court gave declaratory reliefs but can they recover the funds? Or is this just another judgment that gathers dust while lawmakers continue to treat public funds like personal ATM? The question is, who will enforce this ruling and make them return the money?