June 21 (THEWILL) — 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.”
In a letter dated June 20, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP called on the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that all members of the Senate and House of Representatives refund monies, allowances, and benefits obtained under the schemes, which were recently invalidated by the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The rights organisation further urged the National Assembly to institute comprehensive reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with procurement regulations in future spending.
The demand follows the judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, which found that the expenditure of N40 billion on the procurement of 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members violated procurement laws, constitutional obligations, and the public trust.
According to SERAP, the court’s findings provide a strong legal and constitutional basis for restitution, even though the judgment did not expressly order the repayment of the funds.
“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.
SERAP argued that allowing lawmakers to retain benefits derived from spending declared unlawful by the court would undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and weaken the constitutional mandate to combat corruption and abuse of power.
“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 group said.
The organisation maintained that where public funds have been expended in violation of procurement laws and constitutional provisions, especially in circumstances involving self-dealing and conflict of interest, the benefits derived from such expenditure must be reversed and fully accounted for.
It noted that while the judgment did not specifically direct the recovery of the funds, constitutional provisions, anti-corruption laws, and Nigeria’s international obligations support the recovery of resources unlawfully expended.
SERAP warned that it would commence legal proceedings against the National Assembly leadership and lawmakers if steps were not taken within seven days to recover and return the funds to the public treasury.
“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 cited Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates the State to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power, arguing that public institutions have a constitutional obligation to remedy the consequences of unlawful expenditure.
SERAP said the court found that the schemes violated provisions of the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, constitutional oaths of office, and established principles of transparency, accountability, and value for money.
According to the group, Justice Bogoro held that the expenditure was characterised by self-dealing, conflict of interest, and a failure to prioritise the national interest.
Beyond the refund demand, SERAP called for the establishment of robust compliance mechanisms to prevent future violations. It also urged the National Assembly to institutionalise public hearings on its budget during every appropriation cycle and proactively publish detailed budgetary and expenditure information.
The organisation argued that opening the legislature’s budget to public scrutiny would enhance transparency, strengthen accountability, and promote meaningful citizen participation in the budgeting process.
“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,” SERAP stated.
It added that accountability remains a foundational constitutional value and that the legislature, as custodian of public resources, must uphold the highest standards of integrity, legality, and transparency.
SERAP stressed that the ultimate objective of enforcing compliance with the judgment should be the vindication of the rule of law through the reversal of the consequences of unlawful conduct and the restitution of public resources.
“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,” the organisation added.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, nor the National Assembly had officially responded to SERAP’s demands.
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