The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to bring its investigations involving former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to a clear and lawful conclusion, warning political parties against presenting candidates whose unresolved corruption cases raise serious questions about public accountability.

HURIWA said an opinion poll it conducted across Nigeria, involving more than 6,000 respondents, indicated overwhelming public disapproval of political parties fielding politicians facing unresolved corruption allegations.

According to the association, 99 per cent of respondents condemned the practice, with particular criticism directed at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over its reported decision to field Okowa for a senatorial contest in Delta North.

HURIWA said respondents in Delta North questioned why the party would reportedly choose the former governor instead of the incumbent senator, Prince Ned Nwoko, and demanded that the EFCC clarify the status of its investigation into Okowa.

OKOWA: HURIWA RECALLS EFCC DETENTION

HURIWA said the EFCC must explain the status of its investigation into Okowa, who was arrested and detained in November 2024 over allegations concerning the management of funds received during his eight-year tenure as Delta State governor.

Media reports at the time quoted an unnamed EFCC source as saying:

“Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from the investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested.”

The Punch also reported the source as saying:

“The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.”

The allegations reported at the time also included questions about funds allegedly used to acquire shares in a floating liquefied natural gas project and other investments.

HURIWA stressed that these were allegations under investigation and not proof of guilt. It noted that Okowa subsequently denied wrongdoing, with his aide maintaining that the EFCC had not established a case against him.

The association said the former governor should be entitled to due process, just as Nigerians deserved transparency about the investigation and a clear explanation of whether the evidence warranted prosecution.

HURIWA argued that where investigators have sufficient evidence to prosecute, the EFCC should proceed without undue delay. Where the evidence is insufficient, the commission should equally clarify the position rather than leave the matter indefinitely unresolved.

BELLO CASE RAISES SIMILAR QUESTIONS

The association said respondents in Kogi State expressed similar concerns about the unresolved allegations involving former Governor Yahaya Bello.

Bello has faced EFCC allegations concerning the alleged diversion of public funds during his tenure. HURIWA said the reported scale of the allegations made it imperative for the anti-graft agency to pursue the matter transparently and through the courts.

The association emphasised that neither an accusation nor an investigation should be treated as a conviction. However, it maintained that political office should not become a shield against lawful investigation or prosecution.

HURIWA called on political parties to demonstrate greater sensitivity to public concerns about integrity when selecting candidates for elective offices.

APC, INEC AND EFCC MUST ADDRESS PUBLIC CONCERNS

HURIWA said its reported poll reflected public frustration with what respondents perceived as a gap between anti-corruption rhetoric and the political choices made by parties seeking public office.

It urged the APC to explain the rationale behind its reported senatorial choice in Delta North and called on all political parties to adopt transparent candidate-selection standards.

The association also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to apply the electoral law impartially, noting that eligibility questions must be determined by the relevant constitutional and statutory provisions rather than public allegations alone.

HURIWA called on the EFCC to provide an update on the status of the Okowa investigation and pursue any prosecution justified by the evidence. It urged the commission to ensure that the Bello case also proceeds in accordance with the law.

The association said Nigerians should not have to choose between respect for the presumption of innocence and the demand for accountability from public officials.

It maintained that both principles must be upheld: no individual should be declared guilty without due process, and no politically influential person should be insulated from investigation because of party affiliation or electoral ambition.