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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, cautioning political parties against fielding candidates whose unsolved corruption cases raise serious questions about public opinion.
The appeal was contained in a press release signed by Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, national coordinator of HURIWA, on 9 September 2026.
According to the association, an opinion poll conducted across Nigeria involving more than 6,000 respondents indicated overwhelming public disapproval of parties that field politicians with unresolved corruption allegations.
HURIWA said 99% of respondents condemned the practice, with particular criticism leveled at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for its decision to field Okowa for a senatorial contest in Delta North.
The association said Delta North respondents questioned why the party would choose the former governor over the incumbent senator, Prince Ned Nwoko, and asked the EFCC to clarify the status of its investigation into Okowa.
HURIWA said the EFCC must explain the status of its investigation into Okowa, who was arrested and detained in November 2024 over charges relating to the handling of funds received during his eight-year tenure as governor of Delta State.
The group recalled that reports at the time quoted the EFCC as saying:
“Okowa was in our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from detectives to investigate the allegations against him. He was then arrested.”
HURIWA noted that the Punch also reported the source as saying:
“The commission is investigating him in connection with the fund’s derivation of $1.3 trillion at 13% from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.”
The organization said 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 are allegations being investigated and not evidence of guilt. He noted that Okowa subsequently denied any wrongdoing, with his aide maintaining that the EFCC had not instituted a case against him.
The association added that the former governor should be entitled to a fair trial, just as Nigerians deserve transparency into the investigation and a clear explanation of whether the evidence warrants prosecution.
“Where investigators have sufficient evidence to proceed, the EFCC should proceed without undue delay. Where evidence is insufficient, the commission should equally clarify the position rather than leave the matter unresolved indefinitely,” HURIWA said.
The Bello case raises similar questions about liability
The association said respondents in Kogi State expressed similar concerns over unresolved allegations involving former governor Yahaya Bello, who faced EFCC charges regarding the alleged diversion of public funds during his tenure.
HURIWA said the scope of the reported allegations makes it imperative for the anti-corruption agency to pursue the matter transparently and through the courts. He stressed that neither the accusation nor the investigation should be treated as a conviction, however the political office should not become a shield against legitimate investigations or prosecutions.
APC, INEC and EFCC must address public concerns: HURIWA
HURIWA said the reported poll reflects public frustration with what respondents perceive as a gap between anti-corruption rhetoric and policy choices made by parties seeking public office.
He urged the APC to explain the rationale behind its senatorial choice in Delta North and called on all political parties to adopt transparent standards for selecting candidates.
The association also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to apply electoral law impartially, stressing that eligibility questions must be determined by relevant constitutional and statutory provisions rather than public allegations alone.
HURIWA called on the EFCC to provide updates on the status of the investigation into Okowa and pursue any prosecution warranted by the evidence, and to ensure that the Bello case also proceeds in accordance with the law.
“Nigerians should not have to choose between upholding the presumption of innocence and demanding accountability from public officials,” HURIWA said.
He argued that both principles should be respected: no individual should be found guilty without due process, and no politically influential person should be isolated from investigation because of party affiliation or electoral ambition.
