Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria Faults EFCC, ICPC Over Slow Prosecution of Politicians Facing Corruption Charges

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), over what it described as slow prosecution and lack of transparency in handling corruption cases involving politically exposed persons seeking elective offices.

In a statement signed on Saturday by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the civil rights group accused the EFCC of failing to take proactive steps against politicians currently facing corruption allegations but who have continued to pursue political ambitions ahead of future elections.

The group listed several prominent figures, including former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, as examples of politically exposed persons linked to corruption investigations or prosecutions who are still active in partisan politics.

HURIWA argued that the EFCC could help discourage such individuals from contesting public offices by publicly disclosing the status of ongoing investigations and formally notifying political parties about pending corruption allegations against aspirants.

According to the organisation, the anti-graft agency appears more willing to publicly parade young Nigerians accused of internet fraud while allegedly remaining silent on high-profile corruption cases involving senior politicians.

The group said although the EFCC recently defended its inability to stop individuals under investigation from contesting elections on constitutional grounds, the explanation fails to address what it described as the broader institutional weakness in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.

HURIWA maintained that prolonged investigations and delayed prosecutions allow politically exposed persons to retain political influence and, in some cases, secure positions of authority capable of affecting anti-corruption institutions.

The rights group also warned that allowing individuals with unresolved corruption allegations to occupy legislative or executive offices could create conflicts of interest, especially where such office holders may oversee agencies investigating them.

Citing past cases involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other former governors and lawmakers, HURIWA alleged that political considerations have often slowed down or weakened prosecution efforts against powerful public figures.

The organisation expressed concern that several corruption cases involving politically exposed persons remain trapped at investigative or pre-trial stages for years without clear timelines or public accountability.

HURIWA further called on the EFCC to improve transparency by regularly updating Nigerians on the progress of high-profile corruption cases, including prosecutorial decisions already taken and timelines for court proceedings.

The group also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, and civil society organisations to remain vigilant in protecting electoral integrity and preventing public office from becoming a shield for individuals facing unresolved allegations of financial misconduct.

According to HURIWA, Nigeria’s anti-corruption war risks losing credibility if enforcement agencies continue to be perceived as selective, slow, or politically influenced in handling corruption cases involving influential politicians.