By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation (Nigeria) of refusing to respond to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request concerning alleged financial irregularities within the ministry.

HURIWA said it submitted a written FOI request on February 10, 2026, seeking clarification on several allegations, including a purported plan to auction the only functional official SUV assigned to the Permanent Secretary, suspected excessive fuel allowances, and alleged irregularities in contractor payments.

Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, described the ministry’s response as “deeply troubling,” alleging that the minister ignored the request and instead directed a Deputy Director of Protocol and Public Relations to invite the group for a discussion.

“We made specific, clear and unambiguous demands under the Freedom of Information Act. Instead of providing answers, the ministry attempted to redirect the process through informal engagement, which we rejected because public accountability requires documented disclosure,” Onwubiko said.

HURIWA alleged that insiders within the ministry had raised concerns about possible financial misconduct, including claims that some officials receive fuel allowances exceeding recommended thresholds set by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

The group further alleged that there were reports of contractors being paid through accounts allegedly linked to relatives of certain officials, a practice it described as “a serious red flag requiring investigation.”

Among other concerns raised in the FOI request were details of a proposed auction of the Permanent Secretary’s official vehicle, including whether the bidding process would be competitive and whether civil society observers would monitor the exercise.

The advocacy group also demanded disclosure of the names and employment status of personal assistants to the minister and Permanent Secretary, questioning claims that some of them were relatives of senior officials drawing remuneration comparable to that of deputy directors.

HURIWA also sought information on contractor payment structures, safeguards against financial abuse, and the sponsorship cost of a ministry sports delegation to the civil service games held in Adamawa State.

“We are alarmed by reports that files relating to the alleged auction process have disappeared from offices within the ministry,” Onwubiko said.

The group warned that it would forward the allegations to anti-corruption agencies for investigation if the ministry failed to provide satisfactory explanations.

“The FOI Act is a binding law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Public institutions are obligated to keep and disclose information in the interest of transparency and accountability,” Onwubiko added.

HURIWA said it would continue to pursue the matter in the public interest and called on relevant authorities to investigate the allegations to determine their credibility.

The ministry of information and national orientation has not issued an official public response to the allegations as of the time of this report.