The National Assembly’s leadership has been urged by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to look into claims that parliamentarians pay up to ₦3 million to submit motions, bills, and petitions immediately.
SERAP called on Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Senate President Godswill Akpabio to “refer the allegations to anti-corruption agencies for thorough investigation and prosecution of anyone found culpable” in a statement released on Sunday.
The group also demanded that the parliament’s leaders “assure the recovery of any proceeds of the crime and publicly name anyone that may be involved in the alleged bribery.”
Additionally, SERAP called for safety for Ibrahim Auro, the Jigawa (APC) representative in the House of Representatives who initially sounded the alert.
“The accusations 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,” the organization stated in an open letter dated August 16, 2025, signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director of SERAP.
“Lawmakers should not be required to pay bribes in order to present motions and bills at the National Assembly,” stated SERAP. Bribery should never be allowed to affect how the National Assembly is administered or how legislative duties are carried out. The democratic rights of Nigerians have been severely weakened by these claims of quid pro quo for legislation.
“The claims that legislators are offering bribes of up to N3 million in exchange for introducing motions and bills make a mockery of lawmaking and legislative powers under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended],” according to SERAP.
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“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter,” the open letter stated. In the public interest, SERAP will take necessary legal action to force you and the National Assembly to comply with our requests if we don’t hear back from you by then.
“These accusations have shown how lawmakers are denying Nigerians their democratic rights by abusing their entrusted positions.”
“Public confidence in the National Assembly’s leadership’s capacity to maintain accountability in the performance of lawmakers’ constitutional and legislative duties would increase if the accusations were referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for examination and prosecution.”
“The National Assembly leadership can demonstrate to Nigerians that the legislature is a legitimate and responsible watchdog that represents and safeguards the public interest and can hold itself accountable in cases of corruption, including bribery, by demonstrating strong and effective leadership in this matter.”
“The claims also constitute grave violations of Nigeria’s anticorruption laws, the country’s Constitution, and its international commitments, including the UN Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a state party.”
Article 33 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a state member, provides protection for whistleblowers like Ibrahim Auyo. Because of his statements in the public interest regarding alleged bribery to introduce motions and legislation at the National Assembly, Ibrahim Auyo is considered a whistleblower.
“The ongoing accusations of corruption in the National Assembly and the prevalent culture of impunity for offenders are of concern to SERP.”
“It would increase accountability and transparency in the National Assembly and foster confidence in democratic institutions if it were ensured that the claims that lawmakers pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions are investigated and that suspected offenders are prosecuted.”
“SERAP observes that public institutions, including the National Assembly, are required by Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution to eradicate all forms of corruption and abuse of authority.”
In accordance with the UN Convention against Corruption, Nigeria has also vowed to prevent and fight corruption, including bribery. These promises should be kept in full and honored.
Abraham Auyo had said that it is too expensive to present motions and proposals at the National Assembly. “No one has given me a bill to pass since I was elected as a member in 2015,” he claims. Additionally, the petitions and invoices have been paid for.
Abraham Auyo added, “To present it, you must pay N3 million, N2 million, or N1 million.” Additionally, you need to lobby all 360 members of the House to support the bill after it is presented. SERAP is worried that similar unreported claims of “bribes for bills” would surface in the Senate.
