The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to immediately refer bribery allegations within the National Assembly to anti-graft agencies.
The group urged the presiding officers “to urgently refer the allegations that lawmakers pay up to ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions at the National Assembly to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.”
SERAP also asked them “to name anyone that may be involved in the alleged bribery and to ensure the recovery of any proceeds of bribery.”
It further pressed Akpabio and Abbas “to ensure the protection of whistleblower Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives (APC, Jigawa), who made the allegations of ‘bribes for bills, motions and petitions’.”
Mr Auyo had recently claimed in a viral Hausa video that members of the National Assembly pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions.
In an open letter dated 16 August 2025, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation stressed: “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.”
SERAP 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. These allegations of quid pro quo for lawmaking have seriously undermined Nigerians’ democratic rights.”
According to the group, “The allegations that lawmakers are paying up to ₦3 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 letter further stated: “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our requests in the public interest.”
“These allegations have exposed how lawmakers are abusing their entrusted positions to deny Nigerians of their democratic rights.”
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It added, “Referring the allegations to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation and prosecution would improve public trust in the ability of the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure accountability in the exercise of lawmakers’ constitutional and legislative functions.”
“By exercising strong and effective leadership in this matter, the National Assembly leadership can show Nigerians that the legislative body is a proper and accountable watchdog that represents and protects the public interest, and is able to hold itself to account in cases of corruption including bribery.”
SERAP also noted, “The allegations also amount to fundamental breaches of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s anticorruption legislation and international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.”
The organisation emphasised that “Ibrahim Auyo is a whistleblower, who is protected under article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.
“Ibrahim Auyo is a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on alleged bribery to present motions and bills at the National Assembly.”
“SERAP is concerned about the persistent allegations of corruption in the National Assembly and the prevailing culture of impunity of perpetrators.”
It maintained, “Ensuring the investigation of allegations that lawmakers pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions and prosecution of suspected perpetrators would improve transparency and accountability in the National Assembly, and build trust in democratic institutions.”
“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions including the National Assembly to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
The group also pointed out, “Nigeria has also made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to prevent and combat corruption including bribery. These commitments ought to be fully upheld and respected.”
Recounting his own experience, Auyo said: “Since I was elected as a member in 2015, no individual has given me a bill to pass. And also, even the bills and petitions are paid for.”
He added, “You have to pay from ₦3 million, ₦2 million, or ₦1 million to present it. And after you present the bill, you must follow up by lobbying the whole 360 members of the House to accept the bill.”
SERAP expressed concern that there could be unreported cases of “bribes for bills” in the Senate.