The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, for allegedly failing to investigate claims that lawmakers pay as much as ₦3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions at the National Assembly.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/2214/2025, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja following a viral video in which a House of Representatives member, Ibrahim Auyo (APC, Jigawa), alleged that legislators must make financial payments to table legislative items.
SERAP, in a statement on Sunday, said the case seeks an order compelling the National Assembly leadership to refer the allegations to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.
“We are asking the court for an order of mandamus to direct and compel the Senate President and the Speaker to refer the allegations of the ₦3 million ‘bribe-for-bills’ scheme to appropriate anti-corruption agencies,” SERAP said.
The organisation also asked the court to compel Akpabio and Abbas to protect Auyo, whom it described as a whistleblower under Article 33 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
“Hon. Ibrahim Auyo made a public interest disclosure. His safety and rights must be protected,” the group added.
SERAP argued that the alleged practice violates the constitutional duties of lawmakers and undermines the legislative process.
“Bribery should never influence the exercise of legislative duties. These allegations, if proven, amount to a grave breach of public trust and make a mockery of lawmaking under Section 4 of the Constitution,” the organisation said.
Auyo had alleged in the viral video that presenting a bill in the House requires payment ranging from ₦1 million to ₦3 million, including additional lobbying costs.
“You have to pay ₦3m, ₦2m or ₦1m to present a bill. And after presenting it, you must lobby the whole House to accept it,” he was quoted as saying.
SERAP said investigating the claims is necessary to restore public confidence in the National Assembly.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
