The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) says it has received an official response from a senior official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the group’s seven-working-day ultimatum demanding explanations over the continued participation of corruption-accused politicians in Nigeria’s electoral process.
HURIWA had earlier demanded transparency regarding corruption investigations involving former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other politically exposed persons accused of financial crimes.
The association expressed concerns that several high-profile corruption cases appear to lose momentum once politically exposed persons align with influential political interests or seek fresh elective offices.
Responding to the concerns, a senior EFCC official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, reportedly told HURIWA that the anti-graft agency lacks constitutional powers to prevent individuals under investigation or standing trial from contesting elections.
According to the official, the Commission cannot lawfully stop accused or indicted persons from seeking offices such as governorships, senatorial seats, or the presidency because the Constitution presumes every accused person innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.
The EFCC official reportedly stated that the agency “would not embark on a meaningless pursuit of an objective that is unattainable ab initio,” stressing that the Commission cannot assume powers outside constitutional provisions.
The official instead advised civil society groups, voters, and political constituencies to democratically reject politicians facing corruption allegations rather than expecting the EFCC to unlawfully bar them from political participation.
The official further suggested that advocacy efforts by civil society organizations could assist in publicly identifying politically exposed persons facing credible corruption allegations, thereby enabling Nigerians to make informed electoral choices.
Reacting to the response, in a statement by its national Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said although the constitutional limitations cited by the EFCC are understandable, the development exposes significant loopholes within Nigeria’s anti-corruption and electoral systems.
The association clarified that it never demanded that the EFCC violate constitutional safeguards or deny citizens their legal rights, but rather sought greater transparency and public accountability regarding politically exposed persons facing corruption investigations or prosecutions.
HURIWA argued that Nigerians deserve access to accurate information concerning politicians standing trial or under investigation so voters can independently determine whether such individuals are fit for public office.
The group maintained that beyond advocacy and public naming-and-shaming campaigns, Nigeria urgently requires institutional reforms capable of discouraging corruption-accused politicians from returning to positions of authority without accountability.
Among the reforms proposed by the association is the expedited hearing and prosecution of corruption cases involving politically exposed persons.
HURIWA stressed that anti-corruption trials should no longer be delayed through endless adjournments, frivolous interlocutory applications, procedural technicalities, and abuse of judicial processes intended to prolong cases indefinitely.
The association called on the judiciary to adopt firmer measures against unnecessary delays in corruption trials and ensure speedy determination of cases involving former governors, ministers, lawmakers, and other politically exposed persons.
The group also advocated the establishment of special anti-corruption courts with constitutionally protected timelines for concluding corruption-related prosecutions.
Additionally, HURIWA proposed the creation of a publicly accessible national register containing the names of politically exposed persons under investigation or prosecution for corruption and financial crimes.
According to the association, such transparency measures would empower voters with verified information necessary for responsible electoral decisions.
The group further urged political parties to adopt stricter ethical screening mechanisms to prevent aspirants facing unresolved corruption allegations from emerging as candidates for public office.
HURIWA also called on the National Assembly of Nigeria to consider constitutional and electoral reforms aimed at strengthening integrity standards in leadership recruitment without undermining fair hearing and the presumption of innocence.
The association warned that Nigeria’s democracy risks losing public credibility if corruption allegations continue to carry no meaningful political consequences.
“The credibility of Nigeria’s anti-corruption war will not be measured by media headlines, dramatic arrests, or political rhetoric, but by the ability of institutions to ensure transparent investigations, speedy prosecutions, and equal accountability before the law,” HURIWA stated.
EFCC Admits Constitutional Limits as HURIWA Pushes for Anti-Corruption Reforms
