The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the leaders of Nigeria’s National Assembly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeun Abbas, a seven-day ultimatum to refer allegations of bribery to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
SERAP in a statement posted on its X page on Sunday said failure to comply will result in legal action.
The ultimatum follows a viral video in which Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives from Jigawa State, alleged that lawmakers must pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions.
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Auyo, speaking in Hausa, claimed that the process of legislative presentation is financially prohibitive, requiring payments and further lobbying of all 360 members of the House for a bill to be accepted.
SERAP described the alleged “bribes for bills” as a serious violation of public trust and the constitutional oath of office.
The organisation called on the National Assembly leadership to refer the allegations to the EFCC and ICPC for investigation, identify anyone involved in the alleged bribery, recover any proceeds from the illicit payments and ensure the protection of the whistleblower, Ibrahim Auyo.
SERAP stressed that bribery should have no place in legislative duties and that these allegations undermine Nigerians’ democratic rights and make a “mockery of lawmaking.”
The group stated that the alleged bribery is an abuse of office that denies citizens their fundamental democratic rights.
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SERAP quoted Auyo saying, “Since I was elected as a member in 2015, no individual has given me a bill to pass. And also, even the bills and petitions are paid for. You have to pay from N3 million, N2 million, or N1 million to present it. And after you present the bill, you must follow up by lobbying the whole 360 members of the House to accept the bill.’”
