News
‘Bribe-for-Bills’ Scandal: SERAP Drags Akpabio, Abbas To Court For Failure To Probe

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the leadership of the National Assembly — Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The legal action is questioning their alleged failure to investigate allegations that lawmakers are forced to pay up to ₦3 million to sponsor or present bills, motions, and petitions.
The suit, designated FHC/L/CS/2214/2025, named Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas not just in their official capacities, but also on behalf of all members of the National Assembly.
SERAP’s legal action stemmed from recent disclosures made by Ibrahim Auyo (APC, Jigawa), a member of the House of Representatives.
It would be recalled that in a viral video recorded in Hausa, Auyo alleged that members of the National Assembly must pay sums ranging between ₦1 million and ₦3 million each just to sponsor or present legislative instruments.
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In the lawsuit, SERAP is seeking “An order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution of the allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly.
“An order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to take all necessary measures to protect the whistleblower, Hon. Ibrahim Auyo, who made the allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly.”
The human rights and anti-corruption advocacy group, through its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Andrew Nwankwo, argued that the failure by the National Assembly leadership to address the allegations constitutes a severe breach of public trust and the constitutional oath of office sworn by the lawmakers.
“The allegations of ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ at the National Assembly are a grave violation of the public trust and constitutional oath of office by lawmakers,” the suit read in part.
SERAP maintained that, “Lawmakers should not have to pay bribes to present motions and bills at the National Assembly.
READ ALSO:SERAP Drags Tinubu To Court Over Fubara, Deputy, Lawmakers’ Suspension
“Bribery should never have any influence in the exercise of legislative duties or running of the National Assembly.”
SERAP argued that the purported practice of ‘quid pro quo for lawmaking’ has profoundly undermined the democratic rights of Nigerians.
According to the organisation, the allegations that lawmakers are paying up to ₦3 million in exchange for presenting motions and bills “make a mockery of lawmaking and legislative powers under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].”
The legal action further contended that the alleged corrupt practices amount to fundamental breaches of not only the Nigerian Constitution but also the country’s anti-corruption legislation and international obligations, particularly under the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), to which Nigeria is a state party.
“These allegations have exposed how lawmakers are abusing their entrusted positions to deny Nigerians of their constitutional and democratic rights,” SERAP’s lawyers stated.
They asserted that compelling the National Assembly leadership to ensure a proper investigation would be a crucial step in building trust in democratic institutions and strengthening the rule of law.
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The organisation stressed that the National Assembly is constitutionally mandated to function as an accountable legislative body and a watchdog that represents and protects the public interest, capable of ensuring accountability in cases of corruption.
SERAP also emphasised the need for protection for the lawmaker who made the public interest disclosure.
The organisation noted that Auyo is a whistleblower, who is explicitly protected under Article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption.
“Ibrahim Auyo had alleged that the process of presenting motions and bills at the National Assembly is financially prohibitive.
“According to him, ‘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,’” the suit quoted.
READ ALSO:‘It’s Patently Unlawful,’ SERAP Sues Akpabio Over Natasha’s Suspension
Further detailing the alleged practice, Auyo reportedly said, “You have to pay from N3 million, N2 million, or N1 million 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.”
SERAP expressed concern that similar unreported allegations of the ‘₦3m Bribe-for-Bills’ practice may exist within the Senate.
“Ending the persistent allegations of corruption in the National Assembly and the prevailing culture of impunity of perpetrators is a matter of the rule of law and public interest,” the organisation posited.
They stressed that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires all public institutions, including the National Assembly, to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.
As of the time of filing this report, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
News
UNIMAID, Federal Polytechnic Matriculate 82 Degree Students

University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) in affiliation with the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi has matriculated 82 students into the degree programmes across five courses.
Speaking during the matriculation ceremony at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi on Tuesday, Professor Muhammad Laminu Mele, the Vice chancellor, University of Maiduguri, charged the matriculated students to strictly adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the two institutions to enable them achieve the set objectives.
The VC, who was represented by Professor Muhammad Ahmad Waziri, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Services, warned that any student or group of students trying to breach the peace of the two institutions would face the full wrath of the law.
READ ALSO:NEDC Hands Over Mega School To Bauchi Govt
The Don further assured that the University and its affiliated institutions would continue to make easy access to higher quality education to the teeming population across the country.
In a remark, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Alhaji Sani Usman, said they were affiliated with the university to pursue academic excellence, describing the affiliation as a huge pillar in the education reforms.
READ ALSO:Bauchi Govt, UNICEF Strengthen Education Platforms To Improve Learning Outcomes
The Rector, who was also represented by Dr. Dalhatu Saidu, the Deputy Rector of the Polymeric, commended the university of Maiduguri for not only improving the UNIMAID’s conducive learning environment but expanding the horizon to different higher institutions of learning across Nigeria.
He therefore advised the newly matriculated students to pursue knowledge, to interact freely with the Polytechnic staff, be vigilant and be a brother’s keeper, adding that this would help to achieve the desired objectives.
The affiliated courses included BSc Mass Communication, BSc Accountancy, BSc Public Administration, BSc Business Administration and BSc Banking and Finance respectively.
News
Trouble Looms As Egbesu Group Drags FG To Court Over Resource Control, Others

Group known as Supreme Egbesu Assembly (SEA) has dragged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to a Federal High Court, Yenagoa, over failure to create additional 24 Local government councils in Bayelsa State as the need for Ijaw to control natural resources in its territory.
The Originating Summons marked: FHC/YNA/CS/63/2026 was filed on Tuesday April 21, 2026 by the plaintiffs including; Felix Tuodolo, Weri Digifa, Ebi Waribigha, Kabowei Akamade, Rosebella Jackson, Thomas Jacklloyd, Primrose Kpokposei, David Imole and Welman Warri at the Federal High Court Yenagoa.
Joined as defendants in the suit are the National Assembly, the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Attorney General of the Federation.
In the court documents, the Egbesu Assembly premised their action on the alleged failure of the federal government particularly the National Assembly to deliberate, approve and amend the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
This, according to them, is to allow for resource control as well as the creation of additional LGAs in the state to fulfil the requirements in line with the Constitution.
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The group is therefore seeking, among others, the amendment of the constitution by the National Assembly to allow for the right to resource control.
The Supreme Egbesu Assembly described the suit action as a promise kept.
Mranwh, In a press statement announcing the institution of the lawsuit on Tuesday, the Egbesu Assembly recalled that, on 12th February 2026, it wrote to both the Federal Government and the National Assembly wherein its gave a 21-Day ultimatum for the duo to respond to the age-long demands for resource control and creation of additional LGAs or face a lawsuit.
The statement partly reads: “Recall that on 12th February 2026, we did inform you that we have written to the National Assembly and the federal government on the need for the creation of an additional 24 Local Government Areas in Bayelsa State as well as the control of our God-given natural resources in Ijaw territory.
“We promised that if the National Assembly and or federal government did not respond to these age-long demands, we were going to seek legal actions to address our demands.
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“We gave a time frame of twenty-one days for them to respond to us—we got no response!
“Today the Supreme Egbesu Assembly (SEA) has kept to its promise.
“We instituted an action at the Federal High Court Yenagoa against the National Assembly and the Federal Government after the expiration of the 21 days. Today we were in court for the first hearing of both cases.”
According to the group, creation of additional local government areas for Bayelsa is as old as the creation of the State itself.
The SEA maintained that “there is nowhere in any democracy where a state is limited to just 8 LGAs: more pathetic is the fact that Bayelsa State is an oil bearing State.
“Bayelsa State presently has twenty four Rural Development Authorities (RDA) which can be easily converted to Local Government areas thereby making the State eligible to participate in the sharing of allocation and the development of their areas for the purpose of justice and equity.
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“Gentlemen, we wish to inform you that our suit on Resource Control is a revival of our age long agitation.”
The group further stated that Nigeria can no longer operate a system where contributors to the national coffers are not in charge of their resources.
The group added that the lawsuit is therefore for the Ijaw people.
“The Ijaw Nation must be free from all economic strangulation carried out against them by successive Governments,” they added.
The SEA called on all Ijaws to be steadfast and resolute, and continue to support the process by attending all court sessions, stating that “your solidarity is very vital at this point of time in our history. “
The group also called on other Ijaw organizations, communities, Niger Delta people, organizations and all people of goodwill “to join in the march to control and manage our despoiled and mismanaged natural resources.”
News
BREAKING: Tinubu Sacks Wale Edun, Dangiwa As Ministers

President Bola Tinubu has approved a minor reshuffle of the Federal Executive Council, removing the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, from their cabinet positions.
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yomi Odunuga, said the development was contained in a memo signed by the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
According to the memo, Taiwo Oyedele has been appointed as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Also appointed is Dr. Muttaqha Darma as Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.
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The memo directed the outgoing ministers to complete handover processes to their respective successors or supervising officials.
It stated that all handing over and taking over activities must be concluded on or before the close of business on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026.
Explaining the decision, Akume said the changes were aimed at improving coordination and strengthening delivery across key sectors of the economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Akume stated.
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He added that President Tinubu acted in line with his constitutional powers as provided under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The SGF also conveyed the President’s appreciation to the outgoing ministers for their service to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours, noting that the process of cabinet reinvigoration would remain continuous.
The statement further noted that Taiwo Oyedele was appointed as Minister of State for Finance in March 2026, while Edun was among the ministers appointed on August 16, 2023.
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