SERAP to Akpabio, Abbas: “Return the N110 billion 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 the House of Representatives return and return to the public treasury, all monies, allowances and benefits derived from the N110 billion vehicle procurement and support allowance scheme declared unlawful by the Federal High Court.”

SERAP urges Akpabio, Abbas and the National Assembly “to immediately establish an effective mechanism to ensure that all future procurement and expenditure of public funds strictly adheres to the requirements of due process and is guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and value for money.”

SERAP also urges them “to institute public hearings on parliamentarians’ budgets at each budget cycle and proactively publish detailed National Assembly budget and expenditure information to increase transparency, strengthen public trust, and encourage meaningful public participation in the budget process.”

The application follows the judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos, delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, which stated that the expenditure of N40 billion for 465 vehicles for members of parliament and N70 billion for support allowances for newly elected members violated procurement laws, constitutional obligations and public trust.

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In a letter dated June 20, 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Based on Judge Bogoro’s decision, there must be consequences and full compensation for the failure of MPs to comply with their constitutional and statutory obligations, particularly in relation to the unlawful expenditure of N110 billion, as found by the Court.”

SERAP said: “Allowing members of parliament to profit from unlawful and constitutional expenditure would be completely inconsistent with the constitutional duty to eliminate corrupt practices and abuse of power and would undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.”

According to SERAP, “No public official should be permitted to obtain benefits obtained through actions that have been legally 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 group said, “While the judgment does not expressly order the restitution of the N110 billion, it nevertheless provides a strong factual and legal basis for restitution when read together with the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. [as amended]anti-corruption laws, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

“We would be grateful if the recommended steps are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP will take all necessary legal action against you, other members of parliament and the National Assembly to ensure the recovery and return of the N110 billion unlawfully spent in the public interest and in accordance with the rule of law.”