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Court Strikes Down National Assembly’s ₦110bn SUV, Allowance Spending
Court Strikes Down National Assembly’s ₦110bn SUV, Allowance Spending
LAGOS, Nigeria – A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has nullified the National Assembly’s ₦110 billion expenditure on luxury SUVs and support allowances for lawmakers, ruling that the spending violated Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act, breached constitutional provisions on conflict of interest, and failed basic standards of transparency and accountability.
Delivering judgment on May 6, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, Justice Yellim Bogoro voided ₦40 billion used to purchase 465 bulletproof sport utility vehicles and another ₦70 billion paid as support allowances to lawmakers elected in 2023. The ruling followed a suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) , a leading anti-corruption and human rights advocacy group.
Justice Bogoro held that the National Assembly failed to provide any evidence of competitive bidding, value-for-money assessments, or compliance with Section 57(4) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 — which requires that public procurement be guided by economy, efficiency, and the public interest. The judge ruled that the procurement was “arbitrary, disproportionate and inconsistent with statutory procurement standards.” The court also found that the spending violated paragraph 1, Part 1, Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (Code of Conduct for Public Officers), which prohibits public officers from placing themselves in situations of conflict of interest or abusing office for personal benefit.
In one of the most striking observations in the judgment, Justice Bogoro stated that the beneficiaries of the expenditure — the lawmakers themselves — were the same officials who approved the spending. He declared that “this constitutes a case of self-dealing and conflict of interest.” The judge further noted that the expenditure violated the oath of office taken by public officers under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which demands that public office not be used for personal enrichment.
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Justice Bogoro took judicial notice of Nigeria’s prevailing economic hardship, including high inflation, unemployment, and widespread poverty. “In this context, the allocation of ₦110 billion for the benefit of lawmakers demonstrates a failure to prioritise national interest and undermines the fiduciary duty owed to the Nigerian people,” the judgment read.
The National Assembly had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction based on legislative autonomy and the separation of powers doctrine. Justice Bogoro rejected this defense, holding that “the doctrine of separation of powers does not operate as a shield for illegality. The court is concerned with the legality and constitutionality of legislative spending.” The court also dismissed the argument that the case had become academic because the funds had already been spent, stating that the matter raised significant constitutional questions and issues of public accountability that remain live and justiciable.
Justice Bogoro ordered Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to ensure that all future procurements and expenditures by the National Assembly comply strictly with due process requirements and are guided by the principles of transparency, accountability, and value for money. No order was made for refund of the already-spent funds, as SERAP had primarily sought declaratory reliefs and injunctions against future violations.
Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director, described the judgment as “a major victory for transparency, accountability, and responsible management of public resources in Nigeria.” The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) called the ruling “courageous and historic,” adding that it reaffirms that “no arm of government, regardless of its constitutional status, is above the law or exempt from public scrutiny.” Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana welcomed the judgment, stating that “it has been confirmed that the decision of members of the executive and legislature to live in obscene opulence while the people are forced to live in poverty cannot be justified.” Falana urged the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review the judgment and enforce constitutional provisions regulating the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members.
The judgment is expected to intensify public debate over legislative spending and reinforce growing calls for greater accountability in the management of public funds across all arms of government. Legal experts say the ruling sets a strong precedent that judicial review can extend to the internal spending decisions of the legislature where constitutionality, procurement compliance, and conflict of interest are in question.
Court Strikes Down National Assembly’s ₦110bn SUV, Allowance Spending
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Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja
ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a man accused of impersonating a permanent secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) after he was allegedly caught using a forged number plate bearing the inscription “PRESIDENCY”.
The suspect was arrested on October 20, 2026, after police operatives intercepted a Lexus LX570 sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Maitama District, Abuja, at about 8pm.
According to the police, the concealed number plate carried the registration number 10B218 FG.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the documents presented to support the registration were allegedly forged.
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Adeh said the suspect had claimed to be the legitimate holder of the number plate, prompting further investigations that reportedly uncovered the alleged fraud and impersonation.
“The vehicle and its occupant were promptly arrested for investigation and subsequent prosecution,” the police said.
The command added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspect would be charged to court upon their conclusion.
The police urged residents to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security operatives and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
The arrest comes amid concerns over the unauthorised use of official government and diplomatic number plates in the FCT. Police authorities have previously raised concerns that such plates could be used by unauthorised individuals to evade scrutiny or facilitate criminal activities.
The suspect’s identity has not been publicly disclosed, and the allegations remain subject to the outcome of the police investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.
Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja
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Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage
Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage
Accra, Ghana — A routine breakup escalated into a catastrophic act of arson this week, leaving a young man homeless and his former girlfriend in police custody. The Ghana Police Service has arrested a young woman accused of deliberately setting her boyfriend’s rented apartment on fire after he ended their relationship. The shocking trigger for the split? The woman had answered a phone call on his mobile device without his permission.
According to preliminary police investigations, the couple became embroiled in a volatile and heated argument over the breach of privacy. The confrontation spiraled rapidly out of control when the boyfriend, reportedly furious that she had answered his phone, decided to end the relationship on the spot. Rather than accepting the breakup, the woman’s anger reportedly boiled over into a dangerous and premeditated rage.
In the aftermath of the breakup, authorities allege that the woman intentionally ignited a fire inside the man’s rented home in an act of vengeance. Eyewitnesses described a scene of sheer chaos as flames rapidly consumed the residence, forcing neighbors to flee and local fire services to be summoned to battle the inferno. Dramatic images from the scene reveal a landscape of utter devastation, with the apartment reduced to a pile of charred debris and twisted metal. While no casualties have been reported, the property damage is extensive, and the young man has effectively lost his home and belongings.
The Ghana Police Service acted swiftly following the incident, apprehending the young woman who is now in police custody facing potential charges of arson and destruction of property. Local neighbors have expressed profound shock at the severity of the attack, with one bewildered resident telling reporters, “It is just a phone call. To burn down a whole apartment because you were broken up with? It is a very sad day for us here.” The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days as the police finalize their case, serving as a chilling reminder of the dangerous consequences of unchecked anger.
Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage
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Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City
Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City
SOKOTO — In a gruesome escalation of insecurity in the North-West, armed bandits have reportedly intercepted a vehicle and killed all passengers on board along a road leading to the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to reports, the tragic incident occurred as the vehicle, a commercial transport conveying passengers, was returning from Sokoto city. The assailants, described as heavily armed, ambushed the vehicle, forcing it to a halt before opening fire on the occupants.
The incident was disclosed by Bakatsine, a conflict reporter covering northwestern Nigeria, who shared information about the attack and photographs of some of the deceased . According to the report, some of the victims were reportedly among the 3,000 people recruited by the Sokoto State Government who had been invited to Sokoto city for further screening and the collection of their documents . The passengers were said to have been travelling back home when the armed men intercepted their vehicle and opened fire on them.
The exact number of people killed in the attack has yet to be confirmed, and there has been no official confirmation from Nigerian authorities as of the time of reporting . Although photographs of some of the deceased have circulated following the incident, the total number of victims and their identities have yet to be independently established .
The attack highlights the persistent security challenges plaguing the region, where bandits frequently target highways and rural communities. Isa Local Government Area, which shares a border with Zamfara State, has been a notorious flashpoint for such criminal activities, including kidnapping, cattle rustling, and highway ambushes.
The reported killing also comes amid continuing concerns over attacks on civilians in other parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in communities affected by insurgency and banditry . Residents of the affected area have expressed deep grief and outrage over the continuous loss of lives, urging security agencies to intensify patrols along the Sokoto-Isa road and other vulnerable routes.
When contacted, the Sokoto State Police Command Public Relations Officer promised to provide details of the incident, stating that operatives have been deployed to the area to ascertain the facts and restore normalcy.
The mass killing underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect travelers and rural dwellers in Sokoto State and the broader North-West region. NewsTrends will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City
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