The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas. The lawsuit stems from their alleged failure to investigate claims that members of the National Assembly are required to pay significant sums, reportedly between ₦1 million and ₦3 million, to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions within the legislative chambers.

Mr. Akpabio and Mr. Abbas have been sued both in their personal capacities and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly. This legal move by SERAP follows a viral video featuring Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives representing Jigawa State (APC), who publicly claimed that such payments are a prerequisite for legislative activity. Hon. Auyo's remarks, as quoted by SERAP, revealed: "Since I was elected as a member in 2015, no individual has given me a bill to pass. Even the bills and petitions are paid for. You have to pay from ₦3 million, ₦2 million, or ₦1 million to present it, and after that, you must lobby the whole 360 members to accept the bill."

Filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the suit, numbered FHC/L/CS/2214/2025, seeks specific orders of mandamus. SERAP is asking the court to direct and compel Akpabio and Abbas to refer these allegations, dubbed the "₦3m Bribe-for-Bills" scandal, to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for thorough investigation and prosecution. Additionally, SERAP is seeking an order to compel the National Assembly leadership to implement all necessary measures to protect the whistleblower, Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, in line with principles of good governance and international conventions like the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

SERAP contends that these allegations constitute a grave violation of the public trust and the constitutional oath of office sworn by lawmakers. The civic group argues vehemently against the notion that legislators should have to pay bribes to perform their core duties of presenting motions and bills, emphasizing that bribery should never influence the exercise of legislative responsibilities or the administration of the National Assembly. SERAP further stated that such alleged quid pro quo for lawmaking severely undermines Nigerians’ democratic rights and makes a mockery of the lawmaking and legislative powers enshrined under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).

According to SERAP's lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, compelling a proper investigation into these alleged "₦3m Bribe-for-Bills" claims would be crucial for building trust in democratic institutions and strengthening the rule of law in Nigeria. As of now, no specific date has been set for the hearing of this significant case.