SERAP to Akpabio, Abbas: “Refund N110bn spent on luxury cars and unlawful allowances now”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas seven days “to ensure that members of the Senate and House of Representatives refund and return to the public treasury all monies, allowances, and benefits derived from the N110 billion vehicle procurement and support allowance schemes declared unlawful by the Federal High Court.”

SERAP urged Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and the National Assembly “to immediately establish effective mechanisms to ensure that all future procurements and expenditure of public funds comply strictly with due process requirements and are guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and value for money.”

SERAP also urged them “to institutionalise public hearings on the lawmakers’ budget during every budget cycle and proactively publish the National Assembly’s detailed budgetary and expenditure information to enhance transparency, strengthen public confidence, and promote meaningful public participation in the budgeting process.”

The requests followed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos, delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, which found that the spending of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and the public trust.

In the letter dated 20 June 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “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.”

SERAP said: “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 and would undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.”

According to SERAP, “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.”

The letter, read in part: “Where a court has found that public funds were expended in breach of procurement laws, constitutional provisions, and in circumstances involving self-dealing and conflict of interest, the rule of law requires that such benefits be immediately reversed and fully accounted for.”

“Although the judgment does not expressly order a refund of the N110 billion, it provides a compelling factual and legal basis for restitution when read together with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], anti-corruption legislation, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 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.”

“Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires the State to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Where a court finds evidence of self-dealing, conflict of interest, and unlawful expenditure of public funds, public institutions are under a constitutional obligation to remedy the resulting harm.”

“The constitutional principles of legality, accountability, and good governance bind all organs of government and public officials, including the National Assembly and its members.”

“The judgment established that the schemes were implemented in breach of the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, constitutional oaths of office, and the principles of transparency, accountability, and value for money.”

“Justice Bogoro found that the expenditure was tainted by self-dealing, conflict of interest, and a failure to prioritise the national interest.”

“The establishment of effective compliance mechanisms is essential to prevent a recurrence of unlawful expenditure and to ensure that constitutional and statutory safeguards are strictly complied with.”

“Public hearings on the National Assembly’s budget would enhance public participation, improve scrutiny of legislative expenditure, and ensure that the management of public resources is subject to open and meaningful oversight.”

“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.”

“The National Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard public resources lies at the heart of our democratic system. Accountability is a foundational value of the Constitution, and the National Assembly has a duty to uphold the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and legality in its own conduct.”

“What must be paramount in ensuring compliance with the judgment is the vindication of the rule of law. The effect of such vindication is the reversal of the consequences of unlawful conduct, including the return and restitution of public resources derived from the N110 billion schemes.”

“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.”

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