By Seyi Odewale
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has once again thrown a challenge at Nigeria’s political establishment, this time dragging Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to court over what it calls their “failure to probe a ₦3 million bribe-for-bills racket” allegedly thriving within the National Assembly.
By filing a fresh suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja (FHC/L/CS/2214/2025), SERAP accuses the leadership of the National Assembly of “turning a blind eye to allegations that lawmakers pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions.”
The petition stems from a viral video by Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives (APC, Jigawa), who claimed in Hausa that colleagues routinely part with huge sums to have their bills listed for debate or consideration.
SERAP’s lawsuit, filed through its counsel Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, seeks an order of mandamus compelling both Akpabio and Abbas to refer the bribery allegations to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for full-scale investigation and prosecution.
The organisation also demanded that Auyo, whom it described as a protected whistleblower under Article 33 of the UN Convention Against Corruption, be shielded from reprisals, stressing that his disclosures are in the public interest.
In its filing, SERAP argued that the alleged ₦3 million bribe-for-bills scandal “represents a fundamental breach of public trust and a violation of lawmakers’ constitutional oaths of office.”
“Lawmakers should not have to pay bribes to perform their legislative duties. Bribery should never have any influence in the making of laws or motions at the National Assembly,” the group stated.
According to SERAP, such allegations, if proven, expose “how deep-seated corruption has eaten into the legislative process” and demonstrate a “mockery of lawmaking” that erodes Nigerians’ confidence in democratic governance.
The anti-graft group maintained that the development “has made the National Assembly a marketplace for influence peddling rather than a forum for the people’s voice,” insisting that,
“The allegations make a mockery of legislative powers under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution. They show how lawmakers are using their entrusted positions for personal gain while denying Nigerians their democratic rights.”
The group also highlighted that the alleged scandal, beyond violating domestic laws, breaches Nigeria’s international obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, to which the country is a signatory.
“Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions, including the National Assembly, to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. These obligations must be upheld,” SERAP emphasised.
The organisation further argued that probing the scandal would serve as a crucial test of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to anti-corruption reforms.
“Directing and compelling Akpabio and Abbas to ensure an independent investigation will strengthen the rule of law and rebuild citizens’ trust in democratic institutions,” the suit stated.
In a more scathing portion of its application, SERAP noted that the National Assembly, which should serve as a watchdog over the executive arm, has instead become “a breeding ground for impunity.”
“Instead of functioning as a transparent and accountable legislative body, the Assembly risks becoming a haven for transactional politics — where motions and bills are traded like commodities,” it said.
SERAP’s suit added that Auyo’s allegations were not isolated but reflected a broader rot within Nigeria’s governance architecture. The group warned that the leadership’s silence “amounts to complicity and an abdication of moral duty.”
“Failure by Akpabio and Abbas to act decisively sends the wrong signal that corruption in lawmaking is acceptable. Their inaction undermines the very foundation of representative democracy,” SERAP contended.
The organisation concluded that ending the culture of bribe-for-bills was “a matter of national urgency,” warning that continued legislative corruption would further alienate Nigerians from democratic processes.
“Investigating these claims and prosecuting those involved will not only restore integrity to the National Assembly but also reinforce Nigeria’s international image as a country committed to transparency and justice.”
As of press time, no date had been fixed for the hearing of the suit, and neither the Senate President nor the Speaker had issued an official response to SERAP’s legal challenge.
