The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has called for an independent judicial probe into allegations of ₦8.8 trillion in public expenditure allegedly incurred outside Nigeria’s official budget framework, describing the matter as a grave test of fiscal transparency and constitutional accountability.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nadozie Onwubiko, the rights group urged President Bola Tinubu to constitute a Judicial Commission of Inquiry made up of jurists, forensic auditors, chartered accountants, civil society representatives and financial crime experts to investigate the allegations.
HURIWA said the concerns stem from revelations linked to the International Monetary Fund Article IV Consultation, which reportedly indicated that public expenditures equivalent to about two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product were not reflected in the country’s official budget documents.
The organisation argued that if the allegations are substantiated, they would amount to one of the gravest cases of fiscal opacity in Nigeria’s democratic history.
“A constitutional democracy cannot permit trillions of naira in public expenditure to exist outside the statutory budgetary framework without legislative oversight, public accountability and constitutional scrutiny,” the statement read.
The group also criticised what it described as the Federal Government’s response to the allegations, saying official assurances and technical explanations were insufficient given the magnitude of the claims.
HURIWA maintained that Nigerians deserve a comprehensive public disclosure, supported by verifiable documentary evidence, detailing the legal authority, appropriation approvals, expenditure records and audit trail for every kobo allegedly spent outside the published budget framework.
The organisation further called on the National Assembly to invoke its constitutional oversight powers by commencing a comprehensive public hearing into the alleged off-budget expenditures.
It also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation to undertake coordinated forensic investigations to trace every naira allegedly expended outside the approved budgetary process.
According to the statement, any public office holder found culpable after due investigation should be prosecuted, regardless of political office, status or influence.
HURIWA also demanded the recovery of any public funds found to have been unlawfully diverted, misappropriated or expended outside constitutional safeguards, insisting that such funds be returned to the Federation Account.
The group said the issue transcends partisan politics and goes to the heart of constitutional governance, fiscal discipline and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
It urged the media, civil society organisations, professional bodies and development partners to insist on a transparent investigation free from political interference.
The Federal Government had not publicly responded to HURIWA’s latest demands as of the time of filing this report.