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Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas 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 urged Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas “to name anyone that may be involved in the alleged bribery and to ensure the recovery of any proceeds of bribery.”
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’.”
Ibrahim Auro, had recently alleged in a viral video recorded in Hausa that members of the National Assembly pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million each to present bills, motions, and petitions at the National Assembly.
In the open letter dated 16 August 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.”
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SERAP said, “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 SERAP, “The allegations that lawmakers are paying up to N3 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 open letter, read in part: “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.
“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.”
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