Court Blocks National Assembly’s N110bn SUV Plan, Rules Spending Unlawful
A Federal High Court has reportedly stopped the National Assembly from going ahead with plans to spend about N110 billion on allowances and the purchase of luxury and bulletproof Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for lawmakers.
The ruling has sparked fresh debate across the country, especially among Nigerians already concerned about government spending at a time of economic hardship.
The court held that the National Assembly does not have the constitutional power to fix or approve its own salaries and allowances. It stated that only the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is legally empowered to determine what public office holders, including lawmakers, are entitled to earn.
With that position, the court described the planned spending as unlawful, noting that it falls outside the constitutional framework guiding remuneration for public officials.
The controversy around the N110 billion proposal first emerged after reports indicated that the funds were meant for official vehicles and other allowances for senators and members of the House of Representatives.
The development immediately triggered backlash from many Nigerians who questioned the timing and necessity of such expenditure, given rising inflation, unemployment, and the high cost of living across the country.
Civil society organisations also stepped in, with the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) taking legal action to challenge the planned spending. The group argued that the proposal was excessive and not in line with the current realities facing ordinary citizens.
SERAP maintained that public funds should be directed toward pressing national needs such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security, rather than luxury purchases for lawmakers.
Following the court’s decision, reactions have continued to pour in from different parts of the country. Some Nigerians have praised the ruling, describing it as a welcome step toward accountability and responsible governance.
Others, however, believe that similar judicial decisions have been made in the past without leading to lasting changes in how public funds are managed.
The case has once again reopened conversations about government spending priorities and the widening gap between political office holders and ordinary citizens struggling with daily economic pressures.
Legal observers say the ruling reinforces the constitutional boundaries around public finance and could influence how future legislative budgets are reviewed and approved.
As the debate continues, many Nigerians are watching closely to see whether the judgment will lead to meaningful reforms or remain another headline in the long-running conversation about accountability in public office.
Source: prestigenewsonline.com
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