The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, seven days to refer recent allegations of bribery in the National Assembly to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), or face legal action.
The group also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to publicly name anyone implicated in the allegations and ensure the recovery of any proceeds of bribery, while demanding protection for Rep. Ibrahim Auyo (APC, Jigawa), who first raised the claims.
Auyo, in a viral video, alleged that members of the National Assembly are compelled to pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions. He further stated that the legislative process has become financially prohibitive since his election in 2015, describing the situation as “a mockery of lawmaking.”
SERAP, in an open letter, described the allegations as “a grave violation of public trust and a breach of constitutional oath of office,” stressing that bribery must never be a factor in legislative duties.
“The allegations of quid pro quo for lawmaking have seriously undermined Nigerians’ democratic rights and eroded confidence in the legislature,” SERAP said.
