HURIWA Demands Probe, Prosecution Over Alleged ₦8.8 Trillion Off-Budget Spending

●_Rights group says Nigeria cannot ignore IMF revelation, calls for judicial commission, EFCC investigation and full recovery of funds_

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has described the alleged ₦8.8 trillion off-budget spending revealed in the International Monetary Fund’s Article IV Consultation as “one of the gravest cases of fiscal opacity in Nigeria’s democratic history.”

In a statement issued Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately set up an independent judicial commission to investigate the claims and prosecute anyone found culpable.

—“A constitutional breach”—

According to the IMF report referenced by HURIWA, public expenditures equivalent to about 2% of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product were not reflected in the country’s official budget documents.

The group said if accurate, the revelation points to trillions of naira spent outside statutory budgetary approval, legislative oversight and constitutional scrutiny.

“A constitutional democracy cannot permit trillions of naira in public expenditure to exist outside the statutory budgetary framework without legislative oversight, public accountability and constitutional scrutiny,” HURIWA stated.

The allegations were also highlighted recently by former Vice President *Atiku Abubakar*.

—“Assurances are not enough”—

HURIWA dismissed the response credited to the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, as “grossly insufficient and unsatisfactory.”

Rather than “broad assurances or technical explanations,” the group said the Federal Government owes Nigerians “a comprehensive public disclosure, backed by verifiable documentary evidence” detailing legal authority, appropriation approvals and audit trail for every kobo spent outside the budget.

“In a constitutional democracy, public accountability cannot be replaced with administrative explanations. Only an independent forensic investigation can establish the facts and restore public confidence,” it said.

—HURIWA’s demands—

The rights group made 4 key demands:

1. Independent Judicial Commission of Inquiry: President Tinubu should immediately constitute a panel of respected jurists, forensic auditors, chartered accountants, civil society representatives and financial crime experts.
2. National Assembly probe: The legislature should invoke its oversight powers and commence a comprehensive public hearing into the alleged off-budget expenditures.
3. Anti-graft investigation: The EFCC, ICPC, Office of the Auditor-General and other relevant agencies should commence coordinated forensic investigations to trace every naira allegedly spent outside the approved budget.
4. Prosecution and recovery: should investigations confirm criminal diversion or misappropriation, HURIWA demanded “the immediate prosecution of every indicted public office holder, irrespective of political office, status or influence.” All unlawfully spent funds must be “fully recovered and returned to the Federation Account.”

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—“This goes to the heart of democracy”–

HURIWA warned that the issue transcends partisan politics and strikes at the core of constitutional governance and fiscal discipline.

“At a time when millions of Nigerians face crushing inflation, widespread unemployment, rising hunger and deteriorating living conditions, every stolen or unlawfully spent public fund must be restored to the national treasury,” the statement said.

The group urged the media, civil society, professional bodies and development partners to insist on a transparent investigation “free from political interference.”

“Nigeria’s democracy can only flourish where transparency triumphs over secrecy, accountability prevails over impunity, and public office remains a sacred trust rather than an avenue for unchecked financial recklessness,” HURIWA concluded.

Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
July 5, 2026