A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion allocation for Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and allowances unlawful, ruling that the expenditure violated provisions of Nigeria’s public procurement laws.

The judgment, delivered on [date not specified in source], followed a legal challenge questioning the legality and transparency of the procurement process used to approve the funds. The court held that due process was not followed in awarding or executing the spending, thereby rendering it invalid.

According to the ruling, the National Assembly failed to comply with established procurement procedures designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for public funds. The court further stated that public institutions must strictly adhere to procurement regulations in all financial transactions involving government resources.

The disputed expenditure had earlier drawn public criticism and widespread debate, with concerns raised over the scale of spending at a time of economic hardship in the country. Civil society organisations and transparency advocates had also called for scrutiny of the allocation, describing it as excessive.

The court’s decision is expected to have significant implications for legislative spending practices and may prompt further review of similar allocations within government institutions.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the National Assembly nor its leadership had issued an official response to the ruling.

The judgment adds to ongoing public discourse on accountability in governance and the management of public funds in Nigeria, particularly regarding expenditure by top government institutions.