The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for allegedly failing to investigate claims that lawmakers pay up to ₦3 million to sponsor bills, motions, and petitions in the National Assembly.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/L/CS/2214/2025, follows a viral video posted in October by Ibrahim Auyo, a member of the House of Representatives from Jigawa State under the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the video, recorded in Hausa, Auyo alleged that it is routine for legislators to pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to have their legislative proposals introduced.

SERAP described the failure to act on these allegations as a “grave violation of public trust and constitutional oaths,” warning that such inaction undermines democratic integrity and erodes public confidence in the legislative process. The organization is seeking a court order compelling Akpabio and Abbas to launch a transparent investigation into the claims and to ensure that any lawmakers found culpable face appropriate sanctions.

The rights group emphasized that the allegations, if true, point to systemic corruption within the legislative arm of government and a betrayal of the public interest. SERAP’s legal action also aims to reinforce the principle that no public official is above the law and that institutions must be held accountable for upholding transparency and ethical governance.

As of press time, neither the Senate President nor the Speaker had issued a public response to the lawsuit. However, the case has reignited public debate over the credibility of Nigeria’s legislative processes and the need for institutional reforms to curb corruption and promote accountability.