The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged the leadership of Nigeria’s National Assembly to recover and return N110 billion reportedly spent on lawmakers’ vehicles and support allowances after a Federal High Court judgment declared the expenditures unlawful.
In a letter dated June 20, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the recent court ruling provided sufficient grounds for restitution and accountability.
According to the organisation, Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, held that the spending of N40 billion on vehicles for 465 lawmakers and N70 billion as support allowances for newly elected legislators violated procurement regulations, constitutional provisions, and principles of public trust.
SERAP maintained that public officials should not retain benefits obtained through actions a court has found to be unlawful.
“Once a court has established that public funds were spent in violation of procurement laws and constitutional requirements, those benefits should be reversed and fully accounted for,” Oluwadare said.
The group argued that allowing lawmakers to keep the benefits from the expenditure would weaken public confidence in democratic institutions and undermine efforts to combat corruption and abuse of power.
“Restitution is necessary to uphold the rule of law, restore public trust and ensure accountability for breaches of constitutional and statutory obligations,” the letter stated.
Beyond seeking a refund, SERAP called on the National Assembly to strengthen its financial management processes.
The organisation urged lawmakers to establish mechanisms that would guarantee compliance with procurement procedures and ensure future spending aligns with transparency, accountability and value-for-money principles.
SERAP also advocated greater openness in legislative budgeting, recommending public hearings on the National Assembly’s budget during each budget cycle.
According to the organisation, publishing detailed budgetary and expenditure records would improve transparency, encourage public participation and enhance scrutiny of legislative spending.
The rights group further contended that although the court did not specifically direct the National Assembly to refund the N110 billion, the judgment, together with constitutional and anti-corruption provisions, creates a strong legal basis for recovering the funds.
“The Constitution requires the abolition of corrupt practices and abuse of power. Where evidence of self-dealing, conflict of interest and unlawful spending is established, public institutions have a responsibility to address the consequences,” SERAP stated.
The organisation warned that it may initiate further legal action if the National Assembly fails to act on its recommendations within seven days.
SERAP stressed that compliance with the court’s decision should go beyond acknowledgment, insisting that any benefits derived from spending declared unlawful must be returned in the interest of accountability and good governance.
“The recovery of public resources obtained through unlawful expenditure would help rebuild trust in public institutions, deter future abuses and ensure public funds are used for the benefit of Nigerians,” the organisation added.
