SERAP Demands Probe into Alleged ₦3m BRIBES for Presenting Bills at National Assembly

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies to investigate disturbing allegations that federal lawmakers pay as much as ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions at the National Assembly.

The demand follows a revelation by a member of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Auro, who alleged that “you have to pay from ₦3 million, ₦2 million, or ₦1 million to present [a bill]. And after you present the bill, you must follow up by lobbying the whole 360 members of the House to accept the bill.”

In a letter signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to identify and prosecute lawmakers involved in the alleged scheme.

The group also urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to immediately refer the matter to the appropriate anti-graft bodies.

According to SERAP, “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. 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.”

SERAP further argued that such practices “make a mockery of lawmaking and legislative powers under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].”

The organisation warned that if the National Assembly leadership fails to act within seven days, it would take legal action to compel accountability “in the public interest.”

“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,” the letter stated.