By Francis Ajuonuma
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to urgently refer allegations that lawmakers pay up to ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions at plenary to anti-graft agencies.
In an open letter dated August 16, 2025 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the rights group insisted that the allegations, if true, represent a grave violation of public trust and the constitutional oath of office by members of the National Assembly.
The allegations were made by Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives (APC, Jigawa), who, in a viral video, claimed that since his election in 2015, presenting bills and petitions had been financially prohibitive, with lawmakers allegedly paying between ₦1m and ₦3m to push proposals through plenary.
SERAP charged the leadership of both chambers to immediately refer the claims to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation and possible prosecution of perpetrators.
The organisation further demanded that Akpabio and Abbas “name anyone that may be involved in the alleged bribery and ensure the recovery of any proceeds of bribery,” while guaranteeing protection for Auyo as a whistle-blower under both Nigerian law and international conventions against corruption.
“The allegations that lawmakers pay bribes to present motions, bills and proposals at the National Assembly are a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office by lawmakers,” the statement read.
“Bribery should never have any influence in the exercise of legislative duties. These allegations of quid pro quo for law-making have seriously undermined Nigerians’ democratic rights.”
SERAP maintained that allowing such practices to persist would make a mockery of Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption, to which the country is a state party.
The group warned that if the National Assembly leadership fails to act within seven days of the receipt and publication of its letter, it would pursue appropriate legal action to compel compliance.
According to SERAP, investigating the scandal would “improve transparency and accountability in the National Assembly, rebuild public trust in democratic institutions, and demonstrate that lawmakers are not above the law.”
