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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the leadership of Nigeria’s National Assembly, demanding that lawmakers reimburse funds linked to a court-declared unlawful expenditure on vehicles and allowances.
The rights group called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to ensure that lawmakers return funds it said were derived from an illegal ₦110 billion vehicle-procurement and support-allowance scheme.
SERAP said the demand followed a recent court judgment, which declared the spending unlawful.
In its statement, the organisation said it had given the National Assembly leadership a strict deadline to act.
“We’ve 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 also called for stronger financial oversight mechanisms within the legislature, urging reforms to prevent future irregularities in public spending.
It said, “We 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.”
The organisation further recommended institutional reforms, including greater public participation in the budget process and improved disclosure of legislative spending.
SERAP anchored its position on a High Court ruling delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, which it said found that funds used for lawmakers’ vehicles and allowances violated procurement regulations and constitutional provisions.
It argued that the ruling should lead to accountability measures, including restitution of the funds.
It stated, “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 group warned that allowing lawmakers to retain benefits derived from unlawful spending would undermine governance and public trust.
It added that restitution was essential for upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability.
“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.”
BREAKING: We’ve 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…
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) June 21, 2026
