SERAP has demanded the probe of alleged ₦3m bribes for bills in National Assembly.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies to investigate fresh allegations that federal lawmakers pay up to ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions at the National Assembly.
The demand follows claims by a member of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Auro, who alleged that lawmakers part with between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to sponsor or present legislative proposals.
In a letter signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to identify and probe lawmakers involved in the practice.
SERAP also urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to immediately refer the matter to the anti-graft agencies.
“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 stated.
The group added that bribery should never determine the exercise of legislative duties, stressing that the claims undermine the lawmaking powers under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
SERAP gave the leadership of the National Assembly seven days to act, warning that it would consider legal action to compel accountability if the allegation is ignored.
“Referring the allegations to the EFCC and ICPC would improve public trust in the ability of the National Assembly leadership to ensure accountability in the exercise of lawmakers’ constitutional and legislative functions,” the group said.
Rep. Auro had earlier alleged:
“You have to pay from ₦3 million, ₦2 million, or ₦1 million to present a bill. And after you present the bill, you must follow up by lobbying the whole 360 members of the House to accept it.”