The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to court over allegations that lawmakers pay as much as ₦3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions in the National Assembly.
Akpabio and Abbas are sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.
The suit followed a viral video by Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives (APC, Jigawa), alleging that members pay between ₦1 million and ₦3million to present legislative items
In suit number FHC/L/CS/2214/2025 filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP said it is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to refer to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution the allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly.”
The organisation is also asking for “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to take all necessary measures to protect the whistleblower, Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, who made the allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly.”
SERAP argued that, “The allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly are a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office by lawmakers.”
It added, “Lawmakers should not have to pay bribes to present motions and bills at the National Assembly. Bribery should never have any influence in the exercise of legislative duties or running of the National Assembly.”
According to the civic group, “The allegations that lawmakers are paying up to N3 million as bribes in exchange for presenting motions and bills make a mockery of lawmaking and legislative powers under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).”
The suit filed by SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, stated that, “Directing and compelling Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to ensure the proper investigation of the alleged ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly would build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
