The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has sued Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, over allegations that federal lawmakers pay as much as ₦3 million to sponsor bills, motions, and petitions in the National Assembly.
The suit, marked FHC/L/CS/2214/2025 and filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks an order compelling the two presiding officers to immediately refer the allegation to relevant anti-corruption agencies for thorough investigation and possible prosecution.
It followed a viral video in which Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives from Jigawa State, claimed that legislators allegedly part with between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present legislative items before their chambers.
Auyo, who represents Kaugama/Malam Madori Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress, said the practice was widespread, prompting public outrage and calls for accountability.
In the court documents filed by SERAP’s lawyers — Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo — the group insisted that the alleged pay-to-present practice violates public trust and undermines constitutional governance.
“Lawmakers should not have to pay bribes to sponsor bills or motions. Bribery must never influence legislative duties or decision-making,” the organisation argued.
SERAP is also asking the court to order the National Assembly leaders to provide protection for Auyo as a whistleblower, warning that failure to act on the allegation would erode public confidence in the legislature.
“Compelling Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to ensure a proper investigation will strengthen the rule of law and rebuild trust in democratic institutions,” it added.
The group stressed that the alleged practice makes a mockery of law-making, describing it as a constitutional breach capable of weakening the integrity of Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution which vests legislative powers in elected representatives.
Neither the Senate President nor the Speaker has publicly responded to the lawsuit or the allegations as of press time.
A court date for hearing has not yet been fixed.
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