The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has rejected Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s proposal for an amnesty for former public officials accused of looting public funds, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to instead intensify the fight against corruption.
HURIWA warned that granting amnesty in exchange for the return of allegedly stolen funds could institutionalise impunity and create an incentive for public officials to steal with the expectation that they could later return the money and escape prosecution.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the rights group said the return of allegedly stolen assets should not automatically shield suspects from criminal liability.
The organisation argued that allegations of public-sector corruption must be investigated and prosecuted through due process and that anyone found guilty should face the penalties prescribed by Nigerian law.
HURIWA instead called for an aggressive anti-corruption regime, drawing lessons from China’s uncompromising approach to serious corruption offences while stressing that Nigeria must operate within constitutional safeguards, fair-trial guarantees and the rule of law.
The group cited the reported case of former Nanjing city official Yang Youlin, who was sentenced to death after being convicted of accepting more than 2.2 billion yuan in bribes, alongside convictions for embezzlement, abuse of power and money laundering.
HURIWA said Nigeria did not need to copy China’s criminal justice system but should adopt the principle that corruption involving enormous public resources must attract consequences strong enough to deter others.
The group said Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts had been weakened by prolonged investigations and court cases, which it said sometimes allow politically connected suspects to remain free for years.
It consequently demanded specialised and speedy courts for high-value corruption cases, stronger financial intelligence to trace stolen funds, beneficial ownership disclosure and greater independence for anti-corruption agencies.
HURIWA also called for the recovery and lawful forfeiture of illegally acquired assets, maximum penalties permitted by law for persons convicted of serious corruption offences and greater transparency over recovered funds and properties.
The group warned that corruption should not be treated merely as an economic offence because the diversion of public funds allocated for healthcare, education, roads, security and other essential services directly harms Nigerians.
HURIWA said it was particularly opposed to any blanket two-year amnesty window, arguing that such a policy could create a dangerous incentive for treasury looting.
The organisation said the calculation for public officials should instead be clear: anyone who steals public money must face the possibility of losing both their freedom and illegally acquired assets if found guilty through due process.
HURIWA urged President Tinubu to reject the proposed amnesty and launch a comprehensive anti-corruption campaign combining asset recovery, financial intelligence, institutional reform and speedy prosecution.
The group maintained that Nigeria must recover stolen public resources but should not sacrifice accountability in the process.
“Return stolen money, yes—but face justice where criminal liability is established,” HURIWA said.