- SERAP has given Akpabio and Abbas seven days to act on recovering funds from a disputed ₦110bn lawmakers’ scheme
- It wants lawmakers to refund the money and tighten transparency in National Assembly spending
- SERAP warned it will sue if the demand is ignored
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas a seven-day deadline to begin steps to recover funds tied to a disputed N110bn vehicle procurement and lawmakers’ support allowance scheme, which a Federal High Court in Lagos ruled unlawful.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that SERAP is also demanding that members of the National Assembly refund all monies and benefits received under the scheme, while calling for stronger transparency and accountability rules to guide future legislative spending.
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In a letter dated June 20, 2026, and signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said enforcing the court’s decision is necessary to uphold the rule of law and public confidence in government.
Citing the judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, SERAP said the court had found that the spending of N40bn on official vehicles and N70bn on allowances for lawmakers breached procurement laws and constitutional provisions.
Although the ruling did not explicitly order repayment, SERAP argued that its findings, combined with existing laws and constitutional principles, provide a strong basis for full restitution.
The group maintained that allowing lawmakers to keep the benefits would contradict constitutional duties to prevent corruption and abuse of office, stressing that no public official should retain funds obtained through unlawful or unconstitutional actions.
SERAP also urged reforms within the National Assembly, including public hearings on its budget and improved disclosure of spending details to boost oversight and citizen participation.
It warned that failure to comply within the seven-day window would lead to legal action against the National Assembly leadership and lawmakers involved, insisting that accountability is essential to restore trust and protect public resources.
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