The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has emphasised the urgent need for decisive action against politically exposed persons facing corruption allegations.
HURIWA referenced Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, former governor of Delta state, Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the federation and minister of justice, Salleh Mamman, recently convicted for theft of N34 billion from ministry of Power, Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State facing charges of alleged theft of N80 billion from Kogi State treasury, stating that all the above mentioned names have all picked forms to run for various political offices while the EFCC is conspiratorially silent and unwilling to name and shame them.
The rights organisation said that the EFCC could do so much to stop them vying for public offices by naming and shaming them through direct correspondence to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and all other political parties, reminding the parties about the charges of corruption levelled against them.
According to HURIWA; “EFCC is acting the play book of APC by refusing to take preventive, proactive steps to sensitise Nigerians through the media about the individuals who are facing charges of corruption.
HURIWA said that in line with its earlier public demand for transparency, accountability, and accelerated prosecution of such cases within seven days, it further stated that it is disappointing that the EFCC deliberately appeared helpless, but prefers to be on the media spaces with photos of youngsters who are facing less criminal charges of advanced fees fraud compared to the massive thefts cases that the EFCC have presented against these politically exposed persons who are now buying forms to contest for elective offices in the next election.
The group noted with concern the recent defence advanced by the EFCC which argued that it lacked the constitutional authority to prevent individuals under investigation from participating in elections.
While HURIWA acknowledges the legal limits of administrative agencies in electoral disqualification, it however insisted that the explanation failed to address the deeper institutional failure at the heart of Nigeria’s anti-corruption enforcement system.
It said that the core issue is not eligibility for elections in isolation, but the persistent failure to ensure timely, diligent, and publicly accountable prosecution of corruption allegations involving politically exposed persons.
According to HURIWA; “Where investigations and prosecutions are unduly delayed, suspects are effectively granted unrestricted political mobility, enabling them to continue participating in governance processes while their cases remain unresolved”.
It emphasised that the pattern undermines public confidence in the justice system and creates the impression that anti-corruption enforcement is selectively applied depending on political status.
It further said; “This perception is dangerous for democracy, as it weakens deterrence and reinforces elite impunity”.
