The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate allegations that lawmakers pay up to N3 million to present bills, motions, and petitions at the National Assembly.
The call followed a claim by House of Representatives member Ibrahim Auro that federal lawmakers pay between N1 million and N3 million each for such legislative actions
In a letter by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the group urged EFCC) and ICPC to identify the lawmakers involved in the alleged act.
It called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to refer the allegation 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 the public trust and 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 running of the National Assembly, ”SERAP said.
SERAP also demanded for the protection of Ibrahim Auro, the lawmaker who made the allegations.
SERAP emphasised that investigating and prosecuting those involved would improve public trust in the National Assembly’s ability to ensure accountability.
SERAP warned that if the National Assembly leadership failed to act within seven days, it would consider legal actions to compel compliance “in the public interest.
The allegations constituted a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office by lawmakers.
Bribery in the legislative process undermined the integrity of lawmaking and legislative powers under the Nigerian Constitution.
