SERAP has dragged Akpabio and Abbas to court over alleged ₦3m “Bribe-for-Bills” scandal in the National Assembly.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas over their alleged failure to probe claims that lawmakers pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions in the National Assembly.
The suit, numbered FHC/L/CS/2214/2025, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling Akpabio and Abbas on behalf of all National Assembly members to refer the bribery allegations to anti-graft agencies for thorough investigation and prosecution.
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Genesis of the Scandal
The legal action follows viral allegations by Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, a House of Representatives member from Jigawa State (APC), who claimed that legislators pay huge sums to get their bills or motions tabled.
In a video shared widely on social media, Auyo said:
“Since I was elected in 2015, no individual has ever given me a bill to pass. Even the bills and petitions are paid for. You have to pay from ₦3 million, ₦2 million, or ₦1 million to present it. And after that, you must lobby the 360 members to get it passed.”
“Bribery Undermines Democracy” — SERAP
SERAP condemned the alleged “cash-for-bills” scheme, describing it as a serious breach of public trust and a violation of lawmakers’ constitutional oath of office.
The group stated:
“Lawmakers should not have to pay bribes to perform their constitutional duties. Allowing bribery to dictate legislative processes is a betrayal of Nigerians’ trust and a perversion of democratic values.”
The rights organisation argued that such conduct violates Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which entrusts legislative powers to the National Assembly for the welfare and good governance of the nation.
SERAP Seeks Whistleblower Protection for Auyo
SERAP also urged the court to compel Akpabio and Abbas to protect Auyo as a whistleblower under Article 33 of the UN Convention Against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
According to SERAP:
“Ibrahim Auyo qualifies as a whistleblower for his public-interest disclosures on the ₦3m bribe-for-bills allegations. Ensuring a transparent investigation would strengthen citizens’ confidence in democratic institutions and reinforce the rule of law.”
The case, filed by SERAP’s lawyers — Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo — stresses the need for the National Assembly to act as a “transparent and accountable institution” that upholds the public good.
Constitutional and Global Breaches
SERAP further cited Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates public institutions to “abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power.” It also referenced Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention Against Corruption, emphasizing that failure to act would perpetuate impunity and weaken the nation’s anti-corruption framework.
The group said:
“Ignoring these grave allegations will only deepen the culture of corruption and further erode public trust in the legislature.”
Silence from National Assembly Leadership
As of press time, neither Akpabio nor Abbas has responded to the bribery allegations. The National Assembly has also not announced any internal or external investigation into the matter.
The case, seen as a major test of legislative accountability is awaiting assignment of a hearing date at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
