The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has reiterated its principled position on the urgent need for decisive action against politically exposed persons facing corruption allegations .
HURIWA listed some of them to include Ifeanyi Okowa, former governor of Delta state, Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the federation and minister of justice, Mr.Salleh Mamman, just convicted for N34 billion fraud amongst many accused persons
The list also include immediate past Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello facing charges of alleged theft of N80 billion from Kogi State treasury, who have all picked forms to run for political offices under All progressives Congress (APC) .
In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko made available to VDCInsights, the group stated emphatically that the EFCC could do so much to stop these persons from vying for public offices by naming and shaming them through direct correspondence to the All Progressives Congress, ADC and all other political parties, reminding them about the charges of corruption levelled against these persons.
The Group alleged “EFCC is acting the play book of APC by refusing to take preventive, proactive steps to sensitise Nigerians through the media about the individuals who are facing charges of corruption.”
”Specifically, in line with its earlier public demand issued within the last seven days calling for transparency, accountability, and accelerated prosecution of such cases, the Rights group stated that it is disappointing that the EFCC deliberately appears helpless”
HURIWA however noted that “This same EFCC will be on the media spaces with photos of youngsters who are facing less criminal charges of advanced fee fraud compared to the massive thefts cases that the EFCC have presented against these politically exposed persons, who are now buying up forms to contest for elective offices in the next election.”
The prominent pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group notes with concern the recent defence advanced by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that it lacks constitutional authority to prevent individuals under investigation from participating in elections.
While HURIWA acknowledges the legal limits of administrative agencies in electoral disqualification, it firmly maintains that this explanation does not address the deeper institutional failure at the heart of Nigeria’s anti-corruption enforcement system.
According to HURIWA, “The core issue is not eligibility for elections in isolation, but the persistent failure to ensure timely, diligent, and publicly accountable prosecution of corruption allegations involving politically exposed persons.”
HURIWA noted ”Where investigations and prosecutions are unduly delayed, suspects are effectively granted unrestricted political mobility, enabling them to continue participating in governance processes while their cases remain unresolved.’
The Group observes that this pattern undermines public confidence in the justice system and creates the impression that anti-corruption enforcement is selectively applied depending on political status, stressing that this perception is dangerous for democracy, as it weakens deterrence and reinforces elite impunity.
The civil rights body recalls that its earlier position specifically highlighted the risk of allowing individuals with unresolved corruption allegations to assume or seek public office, particularly legislative positions that may grant them oversight authority over the very anti-corruption institutions investigating them.
It further stated “This creates an inherent conflict of interest that threatens the independence and credibility of agencies such as the EFCC, ICPC, and Code of Conduct Bureau.”
HURIWA pointed out that politicians like the Senate Presidenyt, Godswill Akpabio was once investigated by the EFCC over alleged diversion of humongous amounts of public funds but due to deliberate administrative bottlenecks, the case never made it to the court , despite the massive publicity, thereby letting Akpabio run for public office and has since become the number 4 citizen of Nigeria.
The Group added Many prominent Senators and former governors have been indicted by EFCC but the EFCC does not want to prosecute these persons for political considerations.
HURIWA is especially concerned that prolonged investigative delays have, in several past instances, enabled politically exposed persons to re-enter public office and acquire strategic influence before judicial determinations are reached.
“In such circumstances, the pursuit of justice becomes structurally weakened, as accused individuals may indirectly influence institutional processes connected to their own cases.” it alleged.
The Rights group cites the case of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, alongside other politically exposed individuals whose cases have generated significant public concern but remain within prolonged investigative or pre-trial stages.
HURIWA stressed that such situations should not persist without clear, transparent timelines and public accountability from the responsible agencies.
HURIWA further expresses concern that the recurring reliance on procedural or jurisdictional explanations risks obscuring the broader responsibility of the EFCC to act proactively, decisively, and transparently in the discharge of its mandate.
It pointed out “The Commission is expected not only to investigate crimes, but also to ensure that investigations lead promptly to prosecution where evidence exists.’
HURIWA maintains that effective anti-corruption enforcement requires urgency, consistency, and equal application of the law, regardless of political affiliation or status.
It argued “Any system that allows corruption cases to linger indefinitely while suspects actively participate in electoral politics risks normalising impunity.
HURIWA therefore calls on the EFCC to strengthen transparency by publicly disclosing the status of high-profile corruption investigations involving politically exposed persons, including timelines, procedural stages, and prosecutorial decisions already taken, adding that this is necessary to restore public trust and demonstrate institutional seriousness.
The civil rights organisation also urges Nigeria’s broader democratic institutions—including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, and civil society actors—to remain vigilant in safeguarding electoral integrity and ensuring that governance is not compromised by unresolved allegations of public fund diversion.
HURIWA reiterates that Nigeria’s fight against corruption cannot succeed if enforcement mechanisms are perceived as slow, selective, or politically influenced, stressing that the credibility of anti-corruption agencies depends not on rhetoric but on demonstrable action and timely justice.
It finally submitted “HURIWA stresses that public office must not become a refuge for individuals with unresolved allegations of financial misconduct, and that the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy depends on restoring accountability to the centre of public life.’
