SERAP Urges EFCC, ICPC To Investigate ₦3m ‘Bribe-For-Bills’ Allegation Against Lawmakers

By Iyojo Ameh

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the National Assembly over allegations that lawmakers pay up to ₦3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions.

The call follows a claim by a House of Representatives member, Ibrahim Auro, that federal lawmakers allegedly pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to table such legislative items.

In a letter signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to immediately refer the matter to anti-graft agencies for investigation.

“The allegations that lawmakers pay bribes to present motions, bills, and proposals at the National Assembly are a grave violation of public trust and constitutional oath of office,” SERAP said. “Bribery should never have any influence in the exercise of legislative duties or the running of the National Assembly.”

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

According to Auro, “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.”

SERAP insisted that referring the matter to the EFCC and ICPC would help restore public confidence in the legislature’s accountability.