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 of N110 billion allegedly spent on vehicle procurement and support allowances for federal lawmakers, following a Federal High Court judgment declaring the expenditures unlawful.
In a letter dated June 20, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP demanded that members of both chambers of the National Assembly refund all monies, allowances and benefits received under the schemes and return them to the public treasury.
The organisation also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to establish mechanisms that would guarantee strict compliance with due process in future procurement and spending decisions, while promoting transparency, accountability and value for money.
The demand follows a judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023. The court held that the expenditure of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected legislators violated procurement laws, constitutional provisions and the public trust.
SERAP argued that the judgment created a legal and moral basis for restitution, insisting that lawmakers should not retain benefits derived from conduct judicially declared unlawful.
“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.
According to SERAP, allowing legislators to keep benefits obtained through unlawful spending would undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and conflict with constitutional provisions aimed at combating corruption and abuse of power.
The group maintained that while the court did not expressly order a refund of the N110 billion, the judgment, when read alongside constitutional provisions, anti-corruption laws and Nigeria’s international obligations, provides sufficient grounds for the recovery of the funds.
SERAP warned that it would initiate legal action against the National Assembly and its members if the recommended measures were not implemented within seven days.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of receipt and/or publication of this letter.
If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions against you, other lawmakers, and the National Assembly to secure the recovery and return of the unlawfully expended N110 billion in the public interest and in accordance with the rule of law,” the letter stated.
The organisation further called for public hearings on the National Assembly’s budget during every budget cycle and the proactive publication of detailed budgetary and expenditure information to strengthen public scrutiny and participation.
SERAP said the court found that the spending schemes were tainted by self-dealing, conflict of interest and a failure to prioritise the national interest, adding that effective compliance mechanisms were necessary to prevent future violations.
“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,” it said.
The organisation stressed that reimbursement of the funds would help restore public trust, deter future abuses, safeguard the right to development and ensure that public resources are used for the benefit of Nigerians rather than private interests.
