ABUJA, Nigeria — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has taken legal action against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, challenging what it describes as an “unlawful plan” to spend a staggering N110 billion on luxury vehicles and ‘palliatives’ for National Assembly members, amidst an escalating poverty crisis.
Amid reports that 137 million Nigerians currently face extreme poverty, SERAP is demanding a review and reduction of the budgeted N40 billion to purchase 465 luxury SUVs and bulletproof cars.
Furthermore, the group objects to the earmarked N70 billion as ‘support allowances’ for new National Assembly members.
A key portion of the suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, reads: “The plan to spend N110 billion is a fundamental breach of constitutional and international human rights obligations.”
SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms. Blessing Ogwuche, emphasize in the legal action that public funds should be judiciously utilized, referencing section 57 (4) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
The suit underscores that lawmakers appear to be prioritizing their own well-being over that of the citizens they represent.
The organization points to the stark contrast in budgetary allocation: while N70 billion is designated for 306 new lawmakers, a mere N500 billion is reserved for 12 million of the nation’s poorest.
The detailed breakdown reveals plans to purchase 107 units of the 2023 model Toyota Landcruiser and 358 units of the 2023 model Toyota Prado exclusively for members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
These figures don’t include the bulletproof vehicles intended for the presiding officers of the National Assembly.
The lawsuit argues that such exorbitant spending, on top of an already large N281 billion 2023 National Assembly budget, is grossly inappropriate, especially during economic hardships compounded by the removal of fuel subsidies.
The suit highlights constitutional obligations, citing Section 14(2)(b) which states that, “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
SERAP’s legal move seeks to hold public officials accountable, emphasizing that the proposed National Assembly budget cuts align with the Nigerian Constitution’s letter and spirit, which champions efficient and honest public spending.
As of now, no hearing date has been scheduled for this significant lawsuit.
