The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have dragged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to court over allegations that lawmakers pay up to ₦3 million to sponsor or present bills and motions in the National Assembly.
The case, marked FHC/L/CS/2214/2025, was filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Both presiding officers are listed as defendants on behalf of all members of the legislature.
The suit followed a viral video featuring Ibrahim Auyo, a member representing Jigawa State, who alleged that lawmakers must pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million before their bills or motions are even considered.
“Since I was elected in 2015, I’ve never been given a bill to pass,” Auyo lamented. “You must pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present one, and even after that, you still have to lobby all 360 members to get support.”
SERAP Demands Probe and Whistleblower Protection
SERAP is asking the court to compel Akpabio and Abbas to refer the bribery allegations to anti-corruption agencies for full investigation and possible prosecution.
The group also urged the court to protect Auyo under Nigeria’s whistleblower policy and the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
In a statement signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, the organisation described the alleged bribe-for-bills system as “a gross betrayal of public trust and a violation of lawmakers’ constitutional oaths.”
“Bribery should never influence legislative duties or the conduct of the National Assembly,” SERAP added.
A Test of Integrity for the Legislature
The group insisted that the alleged “quid pro quo” arrangement undermines the rule of law and violates Section 4 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which empowers lawmakers to make laws for peace and good governance.
It also cited Section 15(5) of the Constitution, which mandates all public institutions to “abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
SERAP argued that a transparent probe would restore public confidence and strengthen democratic accountability.
“The National Assembly must demonstrate integrity by investigating the alleged ₦3 million bribe-for-bills,” it stated.
The organisation further warned that corruption within the legislature weakens Nigeria’s democracy and erodes citizens’ faith in governance.
“Eradicating impunity in the National Assembly is not optional—it is essential to national renewal,” it added.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the case.
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