The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project said it has filed a lawsuit against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, over their alleged failure to investigate claims that lawmakers pay up to ₦3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions at the National Assembly.
The rights group said the suit followed a viral video in which Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives representing Jigawa State under the All Progressives Congress, alleged that members pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to table legislative items.
In the suit number FHC/L/CS/2214/2025 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP said it is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to refer to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution the allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly.”
SERAP is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to take all necessary measures to protect the whistleblower, Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, who made the allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly.”
In the suit filed by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, SERAP is arguing that “the allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly are a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office by lawmakers.
“Lawmakers should not have to pay bribes to present motions and bills at the National Assembly. Bribery should never have any influence on the exercise of legislative duties or running of the National Assembly.
“These allegations of quid pro quo for lawmaking have seriously undermined Nigerians’ democratic rights,” the statement read.
SERAP added, “The allegations that lawmakers are paying up to N3 million as bribes in exchange for presenting motions and bills make a mockery of lawmaking and legislative powers under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].”
SERAP also wants the court to direct the National Assembly leadership to take necessary measures to protect Mr Ibrahim Auyo, whom it described as a whistleblower under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
The suit read further, “Ibrahim Auyo is a whistleblower, who is protected under Article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.
“Ibrahim Auyo is a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on the alleged ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly.
“Ibrahim Auyo had alleged that the process of presenting motions and bills at the National Assembly is financially prohibitive. According to him, ‘Since I was elected as a member in 2015, no individual has given me a bill to pass. And also, even the bills and petitions are paid for.’
“Ibrahim Auyo also said, ‘You have to pay from N3 million, N2 million, or N1 million to present it [a bill]. And after you present the bill, you must follow up by lobbying the whole 360 members of the House to accept the bill.’ There may be similar unreported allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ in the Senate.”
The organisation maintained that lawmakers should not have to pay bribes to perform their legislative duties, stressing that such practices undermine Nigerians’ democratic rights and mock the intent of Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the National Assembly to make laws for the country.
The group added that “directing Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas” to ensure an independent probe into the scandal would help restore public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law.
It further argued that the National Assembly must serve as a transparent and accountable institution that protects the public interest rather than enabling corruption.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
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