The House of Representatives is seeking a bill to impose a seven-year jail term or a fine of N5 million on anyone guilty of giving or receiving bribes in workplaces across the country.
Sponsored by Paul Nnamchi (Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency) and three others, the bill aims to curb bribery in both public and private workplaces.
‘A Bill for an Act to Provide Effective Deterrence and Consequences for Bribery in Workplaces,’ the bill will be debated when the House resumes on June 17, 2025.
It proposes tough penalties for bribery offences in government agencies, corporations, nongovernmental organisations, and other professional settings.
Under the proposed law, anyone who offers or gives a bribe “in cash, gifts, favours, or other benefits” to influence an official action will be liable, upon conviction, to a fine of not less than N5m or three times the value of the bribe, whichever is higher, and/or imprisonment for at least seven years.
The bill also proposes a stiffer penalty of a 10-year jail term and the same financial sanctions for anyone who solicits or receives a bribe.
In the case of public officials, it recommends dismissal from public service and a 15-year ban from holding elective or appointive office if convicted of bribery.
For corporate organisations, the bill proposes that those guilty of bribery will face a fine of not less than N100m, while their directors or officers responsible will be prosecuted and, if convicted, face a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Furthermore, companies convicted of workplace bribery may also lose their operating licences and face a 10-year ban from public procurement contracts.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has disclosed that his administration does not interfere with local government funds, a decision he said will enable the third tier of government to bring development to the grassroots.
Governor Okpebholo stated this in Benin City, on Saturday, at the presentation of new vehicles to chairmen of local governments, while accusing former Governor Godwin Obaseki for drawing the state backwards by denying council chairmen appropriate regard and recognition, a situation his administration had come to remedy.
He added that the new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) vehicles were being given to the chairpersons of local governments to aid effective service delivery.
“I want to thank God for making today possible as chairmen now have the privilege to drive brand new vehicles in the State. New things are beginning to happen in Edo State under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
”Edo will experience more development even as we compete with Lagos, Abuja, and other States of the Federation. The vehicles commissioned today are not for the private use of the local government chairmen but for the development of the people at the grassroots. I will monitor you to ensure the right thing is done.
”I know how much you are receiving in the councils, and we will measure your success rate if it is commensurate with what you are receiving. My administration has not interfered with your funds and resources,” he said.
Commissioner for Local Government, Community and Chieftancy Affairs, Hon. Lucky Eseigbe, commended the governor for not interfering with local government funds.
Hon. Eseigbe noted that the freedom given to the chairmen had resulted in positive developments across the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
“This is the first time in the history of the State that 2025 models of SUV vehicles are purchased for local government chairmen. These brand new vehicles presented to local government chairmen are to enable them to carry out their responsibilities
“The 18 local government chairmen are developing the State as blocks of classrooms, healthcare centers, roads are being built along other infrastructural development in the council areas,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo was accompanied by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa and other top government officials to commission the vehicles at the State Secretariat in Benin City.

Elder statesman, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, has cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former governors Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State and Peter Obi of Anambra State, against actions and rhetoric capable of destabilizing the nation’s political climate as Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued in Lagos at the weekend, Chief Onitiri advised the trio, concerned key national figures and statesmen, to act with greater restraint and patriotism in their political engagements, warning that inflamed political tensions could threaten the country’s democratic stability.
“As one of the original democrats who risked our lives during the 1993–1994 struggle against military rule, we cannot sit idly by while some politicians create openings for anti-democratic forces to exploit,” he said.
Chief Onitiri emphasized that the current economic and security challenges demand unity and collaboration across party lines and called on both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition leaders to set aside partisanship and work together for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
“The Federal Government is making efforts to address the inherited economic and security issues since taking office in 2023. What is needed now is cooperation, not division”, he said.
He particularly criticized Atiku’s reported move to seek intervention from an American court to disqualify President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, describing it as “unnecessary and unacceptable to most Nigerians.”
“We, committed democrats, will not fold our arms while our people suffer from hunger and insecurity. The opposition should let the President focus on governance and the delivery of democratic dividends,” Chief Onitiri stated.