The Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to court over their alleged refusal to probe claims that some lawmakers pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to sponsor bills, motions, and petitions in the National Assembly.
The suit, FHC/L/CS/2214/2025, was filed last week at the Federal High Court, Abuja, following a viral video in which lawmaker Ibrahim Auyo (APC Jigawa) alleged that members of the House pay bribes to have their legislative proposals presented.
SERAP, in the application, urged the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling Akpabio and Abbas to refer the bribery allegations to anti corruption agencies for proper investigation and possible prosecution of any lawmakers found culpable.
The organisation also asked the court to direct the National Assembly leadership to protect Hon. Auyo, described as a whistleblower, from intimidation or retaliation over his disclosure.
“The alleged ₦3 million bribe-for-bills practice is a grave breach of public trust and a violation of lawmakers’ constitutional oath of office,” SERAP said through its legal team Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo.
The rights group added that no legislator should have to pay to present a motion or bill, insisting that such acts “mock Nigeria’s democracy and weaken the legislature’s constitutional role under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution.”
SERAP maintained that investigating the allegations would help restore public confidence in democratic institutions and fulfill Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
“Ensuring accountability for the alleged bribery will enhance transparency and integrity within the National Assembly,” the group stated.
As of press time, no date had been fixed for the hearing of the case.