[Press Release] The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has confirmed receiving an official response from a senior official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the association’s earlier seven-working-day ultimatum demanding explanations over the continued political participation of persons facing corruption allegations and prosecutions.
HURIWA had issued the ultimatum while demanding transparency regarding the status of corruption investigations involving former Ifeanyi Okowa and other politically exposed persons accused of financial crimes.
The association had expressed concerns that several high-profile corruption cases appear to lose momentum once politically exposed persons realign themselves with influential political interests or seek fresh elective offices.
Responding to HURIWA, a top-ranking EFCC official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, stated that the anti-graft agency lacks constitutional powers to prevent accused or indicted persons from contesting elections or seeking public office.
According to the EFCC official, the Commission cannot lawfully stop individuals under investigation or standing trial from running for offices such as governorships, senatorial seats, or the presidency because the Constitution presumes every accused person innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.
The official reportedly told HURIWA that the EFCC “would not embark on a meaningless pursuit of an objective that is unattainable ab initio,” stressing that the agency cannot exercise powers outside the law or assume extra-constitutional authority.
The EFCC official, however, advised civil society organizations, voters, and members of various constituencies to reject politicians carrying corruption baggage through democratic means rather than expecting the anti-graft agency to unlawfully bar them from political participation.
The official further stated that advocacy efforts by civil society organizations could help in the naming and shaming of politically exposed persons facing credible corruption allegations, thereby enabling Nigerians to make informed electoral decisions.
Reacting to the EFCC’s response, HURIWA said although the Commission’s constitutional limitations are understandable, the situation exposes serious loopholes within Nigeria’s anti-corruption and electoral systems that allow corruption-accused politicians to continually recycle themselves into public office while their cases remain unresolved for years.
The association clarified that its demand was never for the EFCC to violate constitutional safeguards or deny citizens their legal rights, but rather to ensure greater transparency and public accountability regarding politically exposed persons facing corruption investigations or prosecutions.
HURIWA stated that Nigerians deserve access to accurate information concerning politicians standing trial or under investigation for corruption so citizens can independently determine whether such individuals are fit to occupy public offices.
According to the association, beyond advocacy and public naming-and-shaming campaigns, Nigeria must urgently adopt stronger institutional reforms capable of discouraging corruption-accused politicians from returning to power without accountability.
The group identified expedited hearing and prosecution of corruption cases involving politically exposed persons as one of the most critical reforms needed to strengthen public confidence in the anti-corruption process.
HURIWA stressed that anti-corruption cases must no longer be frustrated through endless adjournments, frivolous interlocutory applications, procedural technicalities, and deliberate abuse of judicial processes aimed at delaying trials indefinitely.
The association called on the judiciary to take firmer measures against unnecessary delays in corruption trials and ensure speedy determination of cases involving former governors, ministers, lawmakers, and other politically exposed persons.
The group also advocated the establishment of special anti-corruption courts with constitutionally protected timelines for concluding corruption-related prosecutions.
HURIWA further proposed the creation of a publicly accessible national register containing the names of politically exposed persons under investigation or prosecution for corruption and financial crimes.
According to the association, such transparency mechanisms would empower voters with verified information needed to make responsible electoral choices.
The group equally recommended that political parties adopt strict ethical screening mechanisms to prevent aspirants facing unresolved corruption allegations from emerging as candidates for public office.
HURIWA also urged the National Assembly to consider electoral and constitutional reforms capable of strengthening integrity standards in leadership recruitment without undermining the constitutional principles of fair hearing and presumption of innocence.
The association warned that Nigeria’s democracy risks losing public credibility if corruption allegations continue to carry no meaningful political consequences.
HURIWA maintained that the fight against corruption cannot succeed where individuals facing grave allegations of treasury looting and abuse of office continue to seek higher public office while their cases remain inconclusive for years.
“The credibility of Nigeria’s anti-corruption war will not be measured by media headlines, dramatic arrests, or political rhetoric, but by the ability of institutions to ensure transparent investigations, speedy prosecutions, and equal accountability before the law,” the association stated.
Signed:
COMRADE Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko;
National Coordinator,
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
7th May, 2026.
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