The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas a seven-day ultimatum to ensure lawmakers refund N110 billion spent on vehicle procurement and support allowances, following a court ruling declaring the expenditure unlawful.
In a letter dated June 20, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged the leadership of the National Assembly to recover all funds, allowances and benefits linked to the schemes and return them to the public treasury.
The demand follows a judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos, which found that the spending of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members violated procurement laws, constitutional provisions and public trust obligations.
SERAP argued that lawmakers should not be allowed to retain benefits obtained through spending that has been judicially declared unlawful and unconstitutional.
According to the organisation, restitution is necessary to uphold the rule of law, restore public confidence in democratic institutions and ensure accountability for breaches of constitutional and statutory duties.
The group said the court’s findings of self-dealing, conflict of interest and unlawful expenditure create a strong legal basis for recovering the N110 billion, even though the judgment did not expressly order a refund.
SERAP also called on the National Assembly to establish effective compliance mechanisms to ensure future spending adheres strictly to due process, transparency, accountability and value-for-money principles.
In addition, the organisation urged lawmakers to institutionalise public hearings on the National Assembly’s budget during every budget cycle and proactively publish detailed budget and expenditure information to improve transparency and public participation.
SERAP warned that if the requested measures are not implemented within seven days, it will pursue further legal action against the National Assembly and its members to secure the recovery of the funds.
The organisation maintained that accountability is a fundamental constitutional value and that restoring the N110 billion to the public treasury would help rebuild trust, deter future abuses and ensure public resources are used in the interest of Nigerians.
