The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, seven days to ensure that members of the National Assembly 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 the statement on Sunday, the organisation also urged Akpabio, Abbas and the National Assembly to immediately establish effective mechanisms to ensure that all future procurements and expenditure of public funds strictly comply with due process requirements and are guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and value for money.
SERAP further called on the leadership of the National Assembly to institutionalise public hearings on lawmakers’ budgets during every budget cycle and proactively publish detailed budgetary and expenditure information to enhance transparency, strengthen public confidence and promote meaningful public participation in the budgeting process.
The demands followed a judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023. The court held that the spending of N40 billion on 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members breached procurement laws, constitutional obligations and the public trust.
According to SERAP, Justice Bogoro’s judgment makes it imperative for lawmakers to face consequences and make full restitution for their failure to comply with constitutional and statutory obligations regarding the expenditure of the N110 billion.
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The organisation argued that allowing lawmakers to retain benefits derived from expenditure that has been declared unlawful and unconstitutional would be inconsistent with the constitutional duty to combat corrupt practices and abuse of power and could further erode public confidence in democratic institutions.
SERAP maintained that no public official should be permitted to retain benefits obtained through conduct that has been judicially determined to be unlawful and unconstitutional.
It stressed that restitution is necessary to uphold the rule of law, restore public trust and ensure accountability for violations of constitutional and statutory duties.
The group warned that retaining benefits from the spending would undermine efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.