The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, over their alleged failure to investigate claims that lawmakers pay up to N3m to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions in the National Assembly.
In the suit marked FHC/L/CS/2214/2025 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP named Akpabio and Abbas as defendants on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.
The case was filed last week by Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo on behalf of SERAP.
This development follows a viral video in which a Jigawa lawmaker, Ibrahim Auyo, alleged that lawmakers pay between N1m and N3m to have their bills or motions introduced.
“Since I was elected in 2015, no one has given me a bill to pass,” he said. “You have to pay from N1m to N3m to present it, and even after that, you must lobby the entire 360 members of the House to support it,” Auyo said.
SERAP in the suit, is therefore, seeking an order of mandamus compelling Akpabio and Abbas to refer the allegations to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.
It is also asking the court to compel both presiding officers to take steps to protect Auyo as a whistleblower.
It said; “The allegations of N3m Bribe-for-Bills at the National Assembly are a grave violation of public trust and the constitutional oath of office by lawmakers.
“Lawmakers should not have to pay bribes to present motions and bills. Bribery should never have any influence in the exercise of legislative duties or the running of the National Assembly.”
The organisation further argued that the alleged “quid pro quo” arrangement for lawmaking had seriously undermined Nigerians’ democratic rights and mocked the legislative powers granted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to SERAP, the alleged bribery amounts to fundamental breaches of the Nigerian Constitution, the country’s anti-corruption laws, and international obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.
The organizers further stated that compelling Akpabio and Abbas to ensure proper investigation would build public trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.”
“The National Assembly ought to be an accountable legislative body that protects the public interest and ensures transparency in cases of corruption, including the alleged N3m Bribe-for-Bills.
“Ensuring the investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators would improve transparency and accountability in the National Assembly and restore public confidence in democratic governance,” it said, adding that;
“ Section 15(5) of the Constitution obliges all public institutions, including the National Assembly, to “abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the case.
