The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Nigeria’s major anti-corruption agencies to investigate the National Assembly over allegations that lawmakers are required to pay bribes of up to ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions.
The call follows a revelation by a member of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Auro, who claimed that legislators allegedly pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to have their legislative proposals accepted for presentation.
In a formal letter signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to identify and prosecute those involved in the alleged corruption.
SERAP also called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to refer the matter to the appropriate agencies for prompt investigation.
“These allegations amount to a grave breach of public trust and a violation of lawmakers’ constitutional oath of office,” the statement read. “Bribery should have no place in the legislative process. No lawmaker should be required to pay to perform their constitutional duties.”
The organisation further argued that the reported practice undermines legislative integrity and “makes a mockery of the lawmaking process” as defined in Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
SERAP warned that if the leadership of the National Assembly fails to act within seven days, it would take legal action to compel an investigation, stating it would be done “in the public interest.”
Referring the allegations to the EFCC and ICPC, the group said, would be a critical step toward restoring public confidence in the legislature and reinforcing accountability.
In his initial statement, Rep. Auro alleged: “You have to pay ₦3 million, ₦2 million, or ₦1 million to present a bill. And after that, you must lobby the 360 members of the House to support it.”
