June 22, 2026 – Lagos, Nigeria
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to refund N110 billion spent on luxury cars and unlawful allowances for lawmakers.
In a letter dated June 20, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure that lawmakers refund and return to the public treasury all monies, allowances, and benefits obtained under the schemes, which were recently invalidated by the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Flowing from Justice Bogoro's judgment, lawmakers' failure to comply with their constitutional and statutory obligations is unacceptable, SERAP said.
SERAP also urged Akpabio, 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.
The Federal High Court in Lagos had declared the vehicle procurement and support allowance schemes unlawful. SERAP argued that the lawmakers should immediately refund to the public treasury every allowance, benefit, and payment linked to the schemes, which were reportedly declared unlawful by the court.
The N110 billion vehicle procurement and allowance scheme is a significant sum that could have been used to address critical needs in the country. SERAP's demand for a refund is a test of the National Assembly's commitment to transparency and accountability. If the leadership complies, it could set a precedent for future public spending. If they refuse, it could further erode public trust in the legislature.
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