The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to im­mediately forward allegations of lawmakers paying as much as N3 million to present bills, motions, or petitions before the National As­sembly to the anti-graft agencies.

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 Auro, 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 N1 million and N3 million each to present bills, motions, and pe­titions at the National Assembly.

In the open letter dated August 16, 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.”

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.

“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].

“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.

“By exercising strong and effec­tive leadership in this matter, the National Assembly leadership can show Nigerians that the legislative body is a proper and accountable watchdog that represents and pro­tects the public interest, and is able to hold itself to account in cases of corruption including bribery.

“The allegations also amount to fundamental breaches of the Nigerian constitution and the country’s anti-corruption legisla­tion and international obligations including under the UN Conven­tion against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party.

“Ibrahim Auro is a whis­tleblower, who is protected under article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party. Ibrahim Auro is a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on alleged bribery to present motions and bills at the National Assembly.

“SERAP is concerned about the persistent allegations of cor­ruption in the National Assembly and the prevailing culture of im­punity of perpetrators.

“Ensuring the investigation of allegations that lawmakers pay between N1 million and N3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions and prosecution of suspected perpetrators would im­prove transparency and account­ability in the National Assembly, and build trust in democratic institutions.

“SERAP notes that section 15(5) of the Nigerian constitution requires public institutions in­cluding the National Assembly to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.

“Nigeria has also made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corrup­tion to prevent and combat cor­ruption including bribery. These commitments ought to be fully upheld and respected.

“Ibrahim Auro had alleged that the process of presenting motions and bills at the National Assembly is financially prohibitive. Accord­ing to him, ‘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.’

“Ibrahim Auro, also said, ‘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.’ SERAP is con­cerned that there may be similar unreported allegations of ‘bribes for bills’ in the Senate.”