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 fielding candidates whose unresolved corruption cases raise serious questions about public.
The call was contained in a press statement signed by Comrade Emmanuel
Nnadozie Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, on the 9th of September,
2026.
According to the association, an opinion poll it conducted across
Nigeria involving more than 6,000 respondents indicated overwhelming public
disapproval of parties fielding politicians with unresolved corruption
allegations.
HURIWA said 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.
The association 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 EFCC clarify status of its investigation
into Okowa.
HURIWA said the EFCC must explain status of its investigation into
Okowa, who was arrested and detained in November 2024 over allegations
concerning management of funds received during his eight-year tenure as Delta
State governor.
The group recalled that reports at the time quoted EFCC saying:
“Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from the
investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested.”
HURIWA noted that 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 organisation said 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 EFCC had not established a case against him.
The association added that the former governor should be entitled to due
process, just as Nigerians deserved transparency about the investigation and a
clear explanation of whether evidence warranted prosecution.
“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,” HURIWA said.
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