The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to refer allegations that lawmakers pay up to N3m to present bills, motions and petitions at the National Assembly to the anti-graft agencies for investigation.
SERAP, in an open letter dated August 16, 2025 and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, urged the National Assembly leadership to name those allegedly involved in the bribery scheme and recover the proceeds of corruption.
The group also asked Akpabio and Abbas to ensure the protection of Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives (APC, Jigawa), who alleged in a viral video that lawmakers pay between N1m and N3m to present motions, bills and petitions.
“The allegations that lawmakers pay bribes to present motions and bills at the National Assembly are a grave violation of public trust and the constitutional oath of office,” the statement read in part.
According to SERAP, such practices “make a mockery of lawmaking and legislative powers under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution” and undermine Nigerians’ democratic rights.
The organisation warned that if the National Assembly fails to act within seven days, it would consider legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.
It stressed that referring the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission would help restore public confidence in the legislature.
SERAP also reminded the leadership of their obligations under Section 15(5) of the Constitution and the UN Convention against Corruption, noting that Auyo, as a whistleblower, is entitled to protection under Article 33 of the convention.
Auyo had said: “Since I was elected in 2015, no individual has given me a bill to pass. You have to pay from N3m, N2m or N1m to present it. And after presenting the bill, you must lobby the 360 members of the House to accept it.”
