The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action to halt the procurement of 360 sports utility vehicles (SUVs) for members of the House of Representatives in Nigeria. SERAP filed an application for an interim injunction at the Federal High Court in Lagos State, requesting that the House of Representatives refrain from purchasing the vehicles, which carry a total price tag of N57.6 billion, until the court has heard and determined the organization’s applications for an injunction.
SERAP’s move comes in response to reports indicating the lawmakers’ intent to acquire and take delivery of these SUVs, with each vehicle reportedly costing taxpayers at least N160 million. The organization’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, disclosed this development in a statement obtained by Findwhosabi on Sunday.
The statement issued by SERAP elaborated on their applications, which seek an “order of interim injunction restraining the National Assembly from procuring, taking delivery, and distributing the SUVs to their members until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for an order of interlocutory injunction, filed concurrently in this suit.” SERAP is also requesting any other orders that the court deems appropriate in the circumstances.
The legal action, bearing suit number FHC/L/CS/1606/2023, challenges the legality of the National Assembly’s spending on extravagant and bulletproof cars for its members and principal officials. SERAP had previously sent an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to intervene and prevent the House of Representatives from taking delivery of the SUVs while the court’s interim injunction application is pending.
In the letter dated October 21, 2023, SERAP called on the president to exert pressure on the leadership of both the House of Representatives and the Senate to suspend the procurement of bulletproof SUVs until the court has ruled on the interim injunction application. The organization stressed that allowing the National Assembly to proceed with the vehicle purchases would undermine the pending legal proceedings and disregard the rule of law.
SERAP emphasized that preventing the leadership of the House of Representatives from acquiring the SUVs during the court’s proceedings aligns with the principles of the rule of law, judicial independence, and the public interest. The organization called on President Tinubu to exercise his constitutional powers to ensure the administration of justice and maintain the integrity of the claims against the lawmakers.
SERAP argued that allowing the lawmakers to acquire the SUVs while injunction applications are pending would run counter to the oath of office and the fundamental principle that no one is above the law. The organization cited the responsibility placed on the president by the Nigerian Constitution to uphold and maintain the rule of law.
Furthermore, SERAP urged the Tinubu-led administration to uphold the rule of law and protect the integrity of the judicial process in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party. The organization concluded by expressing its hope that the recommended measures would be taken upon receiving or publishing the letter.
The legal battle over the extravagant vehicle procurement by the National Assembly continues, with SERAP committed to safeguarding public funds and accountability.