November 02, (THEWILL) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a legal action against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, over their alleged failure to investigate claims that lawmakers pay up to N3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions and petitions at the National Assembly.
In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to refer the bribery allegations to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.
The rights group is also seeking a mandamus order directing Akpabio and Abbas to take immediate steps to protect the whistleblower, Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, the Jigawa lawmaker, who first made the allegations in a viral Hausa-language video.
In the video, Auyo alleged that members of the National Assembly pay between N1 and N3 million to sponsor bills and motions, insisting that the practice has been entrenched since he joined the parliament in 2015.
SERAP noted that the allegations amount to a grave violation of public trust and the constitutional oath of office sworn by legislators, who are expected to exercise legislative authority free from corruption and undue influence.
According to the suit, “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.”
The organisation argued that the claims strike at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy, eroding citizens’ rights and undermining the integrity of the law-making process under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
SERAP further stressed that the allegations, if proven, represent flagrant breaches of Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws and core obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which the country is a signatory.
“The National Assembly ought to be a proper and accountable legislative body that protects the public interest and ensures accountability. These allegations expose how lawmakers are abusing their entrusted positions and failing in their duty to Nigerians”, the filing read.
The suit, filed by SERAP’s legal team, led by Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, emphasised that compelling the legislative leaders to act will strengthen the rule of law and rebuild public confidence in democratic institutions.
SERAP also pointed out that the lawmaker who raised the alarm qualifies as a protected whistleblower under Article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption, which guarantees protections for persons making public-interest disclosures.
In his viral video, Auyo lamented that the legislative process has become financially prohibitive, saying: “Since I was elected as a member in 2015, no individual has given me a bill to pass. Even bills and petitions are paid for. 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 noted there may be similar unreported bribery allegations within the Senate, stressing that only a transparent, independent investigation can uncover the full extent of the practice.
The group added that ending impunity in the legislative arm is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, fighting corruption and ensuring accountability in public institutions as required under Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
The suit reads in part: “These allegations have exposed how lawmakers are abusing their entrusted positions to deny Nigerians of their constitutional and democratic rights.
“Directing and compelling Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to ensure the proper investigation of the alleged ‘N3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly would build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.
“The National Assembly ought to be a proper and accountable legislative body and watchdog that represents and protects the public interest, and is able to ensure accountability in cases of corruption including the alleged ‘N3m Bribe-for-Bills.
“Ibrahim Auyo is a whistleblower, who is protected under article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party. Ibrahim Auyo is a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on the alleged ‘N3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly.
“Ending the persistent allegations of corruption in the National Assembly and the prevailing culture of impunity of perpetrators is a matter of the rule of law and public interest.
“Ensuring the investigation of the alleged ‘N3m Bribe-for-Bills’ and prosecution of suspected perpetrators would improve transparency and accountability in the National Assembly and build trust in democratic institutions.
“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 Auyo 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 Auyo also said, ‘You have to pay from N3 million, N2 million, or N1 million to present it [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.’ There may be similar unreported allegations of ‘N3m Bribe-for-Bills’ in the Senate.”
Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas are sued for themselves and on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
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