SERAP also urged Mr. Akpabio and Mr. Abbas to publicly identify any individuals involved in the alleged bribery scheme and to ensure the recovery of illicit proceeds.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to urgently refer allegations that lawmakers pay as much as N3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions in the National Assembly to anti-corruption agencies for thorough investigation and prosecution of those implicated.
SERAP also urged Mr. Akpabio and Mr. Abbas to publicly identify any individuals involved in the alleged bribery scheme and to ensure the recovery of illicit proceeds.
SERAP also urged Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas “to ensure the protection of whistleblower Ibrahim Auto, a member of the House of Representatives (APC, Jigawa), who made the allegations of ‘bribes for bills, motions and petitions.’”
Recently it was reported that Ibrahim Auro, in a viral video recorded in Hausa, alleged that members of the National Assembly pay between N1 million and N3 million to have their bills, motions, and petitions presented.
In the open letter dated August 16, 2025, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “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.”
“Lawmakers should not have to pay bribes to present motions and bills at the National Assembly. Bribery should never have any influence on the exercise of legislative duties or the running of the National Assembly. These allegations of quid pro quo for lawmaking have seriously undermined Nigerians’ democratic rights.”
According to SERAP, the allegations make a mockery of lawmaking and legislative powers under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter,” SERAP said.
“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.”
The organisation noted that 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.”
It said, “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.”
Ibrahim Auyo had alleged that the process of presenting motions and bills at the National Assembly is financially prohibitive.
According to him, since he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 2015, “no individual has given me a bill to pass”.
“And also, even the bills and petitions are paid for,” he had said.
Auyo also said, “You have to pay from N3 million, N2 million, or N1 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 may be similar unreported allegations of ‘bribes for bills’ in the Senate.