***Alleges Missing Capital Budget Funds
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the fire outbreak that occurred Monday morning at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja.
The civil rights group also urged the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation over what it described as the unexplained whereabouts of trillions of naira approved for the capital components of federal budgets in the last two years.
In a statement issued Monday by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA described the persistent failure to release funds for capital projects as a “serious economic and financial crime” with grave consequences for national development.
The group argued that critical sectors such as health, education, agriculture, water resources, women affairs and humanitarian services had been deprived of funds required to implement key development projects.
HURIWA cited recent revelations during budget defence sessions at the National Assembly of Nigeria, where lawmakers questioned government officials over the implementation of capital budgets despite huge revenues and borrowings.
The group specifically referenced concerns raised by a member of the House of Representatives, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, who confronted the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, over what lawmakers described as the disappearance of funds meant for capital projects.
According to HURIWA, Ikwechegh disclosed that ₦1.15 trillion had been approved by the National Assembly to fund part of the 2025 capital budget, alongside several international loans, including $1.2 billion for digital infrastructure, $500 million for economic stimulus, $500 million for small businesses, and additional funding from the African Development Bank.
Despite these funds and strong revenue performance from agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service, HURIWA noted that many capital projects across ministries remain largely unfunded.
During a follow-up hearing, the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, reportedly told lawmakers that although the funds were approved, their release depended on certain administrative and documentation requirements that some ministries had not yet fulfilled.
However, HURIWA criticised the explanation and urged anti-graft agencies to launch a comprehensive investigation to determine whether the funds had been mismanaged or diverted.
Concern Over Repeated Fire Incidents
The advocacy group also raised concerns over repeated fire outbreaks in government offices that house sensitive financial and procurement records.
It cited past incidents in institutions such as the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Office of the Accountant-General, noting that many of the cases were never fully explained.
The group’s demand comes following Monday’s fire outbreak at the Federal Secretariat complex in Abuja, which affected Section C of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The fire was reportedly noticed around 8:20 a.m., with thick smoke billowing from the building, prompting the evacuation of workers and emergency response by firefighters.
Security officials cordoned off the area and diverted traffic near the Court of Appeal of Nigeria while emergency teams battled the flames.
No casualties were reported, and authorities said investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.
HURIWA urged anti-corruption agencies to act swiftly, stressing that uncovering the cause of the fire and tracking the funds meant for capital projects were crucial to ensuring accountability in public service.
