The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to urgently refer recent bribery allegations within the National Assembly to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.
The demand follows claims by Ibrahim Usman Auyo, a member of the House representing Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, who alleged that legislators were compelled to pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to secure the presentation of bills or petitions before the Green Chamber.
Speaking in Hausa during an interview, Auyo stated:
“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 ₦3m, ₦2m, or ₦1m 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.”
The House leadership swiftly rejected the allegations, challenging Auyo to produce evidence or face disciplinary measures. A statement issued by House Spokesman Akin Rotimi described the claims as “unsubstantiated” and warned that such remarks, if left unclarified, could erode public confidence in the legislature.
The statement further read:
“The insinuation that sponsoring a motion or bill is a ‘contract job’ involving bribes is inconsistent with established parliamentary processes. When the House reconvenes, Hon. Auyo will be invited to substantiate his claims. Should he fail, the matter will be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for consideration.”
Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda, also dismissed the allegations, stating that in his 14 years in the National Assembly he had “never paid money for bills or motions to be taken.” He further demanded that Auyo clarify who allegedly received such payments.
Similarly, Sada Soli, Leader of the North West Caucus, affirmed that the House has the institutional capacity to handle the matter, while Niger State lawmaker Joshua Gana outrightly rejected the claim, insisting:
“Moving motions and sponsoring bills are the primary duties of a legislator, and I have never heard or seen anything like that in my life.”
SERAP, however, maintains that the gravity of the allegations demands immediate referral to independent anti-graft bodies for impartial investigation.#newsafro_
