The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has launched a scathing attack on the Federal Government, anti-corruption agencies, and the National Assembly over what it described as “criminal silence” surrounding the alleged mismanagement of billions of dollars in Nigeria’s refinery rehabilitation projects.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday bully its national coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the civil society organisation expressed outrage over the reported expenditure of more than $2.4 billion on the turnaround maintenance of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, despite what it said were little or no visible results.
HURIWA described the situation as “a brazen case of economic sabotage,” warning that the continued failure to hold anyone accountable reflects a deep crisis in Nigeria’s governance and accountability systems.
The group specifically accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of failing in their core mandates.
“It is unacceptable that such colossal sums of public funds could be expended without a single high-profile arrest or prosecution. This raises serious questions about the commitment of these agencies to the fight against corruption,” the statement said.
The association also took aim at the National Assembly, alleging that its ongoing probes into the refinery projects have yielded no concrete outcomes.
According to HURIWA, “what Nigerians are witnessing are endless investigative hearings that generate headlines but fail to deliver justice,” adding that the legislature risks being perceived as complicit if no decisive action is taken.
The group further criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the Presidency of maintaining a “deafening silence” on what it called one of the most significant financial controversies in recent years.
HURIWA warned that failure by the executive to act decisively could erode public trust and reinforce perceptions of impunity at the highest levels of government.
The organisation also raised concerns over the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s reported plans to enter new agreements with foreign partners, describing the move as a continuation of “failed strategies without accountability.”
However, HURIWA commended industrialist Aliko Dangote for consistently speaking out on challenges within the oil sector, noting that his interventions reflect growing public frustration over the state of the industry.
The group called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of officials linked to the refinery projects, a comprehensive forensic audit of all funds spent, and full public disclosure of all contracts and payment structures.
It also demanded urgent reforms of anti-corruption institutions and an end to what it described as “legislative theatrics.”
“Nigeria cannot continue to tolerate this level of impunity. The time for accountability is now,” the statement added.
Efforts to obtain official responses from the EFCC, ICPC, and relevant government authorities were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
NNPC scandal: HURIWA blasts FG, anti-graft agencies, NASS over ‘criminal silence’
