The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas over allegations that lawmakers pay up to ₦3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions in the National Assembly.
The case, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/L/CS/2214/2025, names Akpabio and Abbas as defendants for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.
The suit followed a viral video by Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives (APC, Jigawa), who alleged that legislators are required to pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present legislative items.
In the application filed by its lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the Senate President and House Speaker to refer the allegations to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.
The group is also requesting an order to compel both leaders to protect whistleblower Ibrahim Auyo, who made the bribery claims.
“The allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly are a grave violation of public trust and the constitutional oath of office by lawmakers,” SERAP stated in the suit.
The organization further argued that lawmakers should not be required to pay bribes to perform their legislative duties, warning that such practices undermine democracy and the rule of law.
“Bribery should never influence the exercise of legislative duties or the running of the National Assembly,” the group added, stressing that the claims “make a mockery of lawmaking and legislative powers under Section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999 as amended).”
SERAP said compelling Akpabio and Abbas to ensure a transparent probe would help restore public confidence in the legislature and strengthen democratic governance.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the case.