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SERAP Sues Akpabio, Abbas Over Alleged ₦3 Million ‘Bribe-For-Bills’ Scandal
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, over their alleged failure to investigate claims that lawmakers pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions in the National Assembly.
In the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/2214/2025 filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling Akpabio and Abbas — sued on behalf of all National Assembly members, to refer the bribery allegations to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution.
The lawsuit followed viral claims made by Ibrahim Auyo, a House of Representatives member representing Jigawa State (APC), who alleged that lawmakers pay millions to have their bills or motions considered.
Auyo said in a video recorded in Hausa, “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.
You have to pay from ₦3 million, ₦2 million, or ₦1 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.”
“Bribery Undermines Democracy” — SERAP
In its filing, SERAP described the alleged practice as “a grave violation of public trust and the 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 the running of the National Assembly,” the organisation argued.
The rights group noted that such conduct undermines the legislative powers granted under Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and erodes public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
SERAP is also seeking an order of mandamus to compel Akpabio and Abbas to protect Ibrahim Auyo as a whistleblower under Article 33 of the UN Convention Against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
SEERAP stated, “Ibrahim Auyo is a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on the alleged ₦3m Bribe-for-Bills at the National Assembly.
Directing and compelling Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to ensure proper investigation would build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.”
The organisation, represented by lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, insisted that the National Assembly must act as “a proper and accountable legislative body that represents and protects the public interest.”
The statement read, “These allegations have exposed how lawmakers are abusing their entrusted positions to deny Nigerians of their constitutional and democratic rights.
Ensuring the investigation of the alleged ₦3m Bribe-for-Bills and prosecution of suspected perpetrators would improve transparency and accountability in the National Assembly and build trust in democratic institutions.”
According to the group, the bribery allegations amount to a breach of Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates public institutions 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,” SERAP argued.
It further stated that failure to act would entrench a “culture of impunity” in the legislature and weaken Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
The bribery claim surfaced in late October after Rep. Auyo’s video circulated on social media, sparking public outrage. In the footage, the lawmaker alleged that bills and motions were being “commercialized” and that no lawmaker could move a bill without financial inducements.
Neither Akpabio nor Abbas has publicly responded to the allegations, and no formal investigation has been announced by the National Assembly.
The case, which seeks to hold the National Assembly leadership accountable for transparency and ethical governance, is yet to be assigned a hearing date.
Founder and General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has reacted to the alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria. This coming amid threat by the United States (US) President Donald Trump called Nigeria “that now disgraced country”
Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has ordered the Defense Department to prepare for potential military action to completely “wipe out the Islamic terrorists” who are committing “horrible atrocities” against Christians in Nigeria if the government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
Kumuyi dismissed reports of any ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria, calling such claims a Western propaganda tool aimed at destabilizing the country.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lagos, Kumuyi said that some foreign powers, including the United States, are using religion as a cover to interfere in Nigeria’s affairs and exploit its vast natural resources.
“There is no Christian genocide happening in Nigeria,” Kumuyi stated firmly. “These stories are being sponsored by people who want to divide our nation and give America an excuse to invade and take what belongs to us.”
The respected cleric challenged anyone making such claims to produce verifiable evidence of mass killings targeted at Christians in the country.
“Show me one Christian genocide happening in Nigeria,” he said. “If you can, I will step down as a pastor today.”
The leader of Kwankwasiyya and former Presidential candidate, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has expressed concern over recent comments by US President, Donald Trump about Nigeria.
President Donald Trump had described the country as a country of particular concern.
Kwankwaso who took to his Facebook page on Sunday wrote: “I have noted with increasing concern the heightened pronouncements on Nigeria by President Donald Trump. This follows his designation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern.’
He stressed that Nigeria remains a sovereign nation facing security challenges caused by outlaws, not by religion or ethnicity.
“The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs,” he said.
Kwankwaso urged the United States to support Nigeria with modern technology to fight insecurity instead of issuing threats.
“The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarize our country,” he added.
He also called on the Nigerian government to engage with the US diplomatically.
The Nigerian government should also consider appointing special envoys from its distinguished diplomats to engage the American government. Additionally, it is necessary to appoint permanent ambassadors to represent Nigeria’s interests on the international stage,” he said.
Senator Kwankwaso appealed to Nigerians to remain united, saying, “To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasize unity of belonging over division. God bless Nigeria.”
Prominent Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take a firm diplomatic stance against former U.S. President Donald Trump following his threat of military action against Nigeria
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Sunday, Gumi described Trump’s remarks as a “profound disrespect” to Nigeria’s sovereignty, urging the Federal Government not to treat the issue lightly.
“For Trump to threaten a sovereign country with military attack is a profound disrespect to our authority, but we can rise above it,” he wrote.
Gumi’s comments come amid escalating diplomatic tensions after Trump announced Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), accusing the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to the alleged killing of Christians.
The outspoken cleric advised President Tinubu to immediately summon the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and demand an official retraction of the threat.
“President Tinubu should summon the U.S. ambassador; they either retract their threats or we sever diplomatic ties with this irresponsible regime,” Gumi declared.
He warned that Nigeria’s failure to respond decisively could be interpreted as weakness and could embolden further external interference in the country’s affairs.
Gumi further advised the government to diversify its international alliances and strengthen relationships with other global partners for both economic and military cooperation.
“There are lots of other options for our economic expansion and military alliance,” he added.
The cleric’s remarks followed Trump’s controversial post on Truth Social, where he threatened to stop U.S. aid and possibly launch a military intervention if the Nigerian government failed to stop what he described as “the killing of Christians.”
Pastor Kumuyi Breaks Silence On Christian Genocide In Nigeria; Drops BOMBSHELL
US Invasion: Kwankwaso Sends Message To Trump
Trump: ‘Either They Retract Their Threats Or We Severe Diplomatic Ties’ – Gumi Tells Tinubu
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