SERAP sues Akpabio, Abbas over explosive ₦3m ‘Bribe-for-Bills’ scandal

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas over their alleged failure to investigate claims that some lawmakers pay as much as ₦3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions in the National Assembly.

The case, filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, under suit number FHC/L/CS/2214/2025, seeks an order of mandamus compelling both presiding officers to refer the matter to relevant anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

SERAP also wants the court to compel Akpabio and Abbas to ensure the protection of Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, the whistleblower who exposed the alleged bribery scheme.

The lawsuit stems from a viral video in which Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives from Jigawa State (APC), claimed that legislators pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to have their bills or motions considered.

SERAP, in its suit filed through its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, argued that the allegations, if true, represent a grave betrayal of public trust and a violation of lawmakers’ constitutional oaths of office.

“Bribery should have no role in the legislative process. Lawmakers should not be required to pay bribes to present motions or bills in the National Assembly,” SERAP stated.

The organisation further contended that the alleged practice of paying to present bills undermines Nigeria’s democracy, erodes public confidence in the legislature, and constitutes a fundamental breach of the Constitution and anti-corruption laws, including the UN Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

According to SERAP, “The alleged ₦3m ‘Bribe-for-Bills’ scandal makes a mockery of the lawmaking process and legislative powers granted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

The rights group maintained that directing Akpabio and Abbas to ensure a transparent investigation would help restore public confidence in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.

SERAP also emphasised that Hon. Auyo qualifies as a whistleblower protected under Article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption, having made disclosures in the public interest.

The suit added: “Curbing persistent allegations of corruption in the National Assembly and ending the culture of impunity among public officials are matters of national importance and rule of law.”

The group urged the judiciary to compel the National Assembly leadership to uphold Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates public institutions to abolish corrupt practices and abuse of power.

Hon. Auyo, in the viral clip, lamented that the legislative process has become financially prohibitive, saying, “Since I was elected in 2015, no one has brought me a bill to pass.

Even bills and petitions are paid for. You must pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present a bill, and then spend more lobbying all 360 members to support it.”

No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the case.