The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has warned the association that it does not have constitutional powers to bar politicians from contesting elections while facing corruption allegations.
This was disclosed by HURIWA in a statement issued on the 7th of May, 2026 and signed by its National Coordinator; Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko.
The association said the clarification came after a seven working-day ultimatum issued to the EFCC by HURIWA, demanding explanations on the continued political participation of persons under investigation and prosecution for corruption, including the former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
HURIWA said it has voiced concerns over what it called the seeming delay or loss of pace in several high profile corruption investigations involving politically exposed persons that later realign with powerful political interests or seek fresh election posts.
The group quoted a senior EFCC official who, it said, spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to speak publicly, as saying the anti-graft agency cannot legally bar persons under investigation or trial from contesting offices like governorships, senatorial seats or the presidency.
“The Nigerian Constitution presumes every accused to be innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law,” he said.
The official was quoted as saying that the Commission “would not go on a wild goose chase of an objective unattainable ab initio”, adding that the EFCC could not act outside constitutional limitations or assume powers not given by law.
The EFCC officer was quoted to have told civil society groups and voters to utilize democratic means to reject politicians alleged to be corrupt and not to expect the anti-graft agency to illegally block them from contesting elections.
But HURIWA maintained that the circumstance shows serious defects in Nigeria’s anti-corruption and electoral processes which allow politically exposed persons with corruption allegations to keep contesting for public offices as their cases remain unresolved for years.
The association said it was not asking the EFCC to violate the rights of the citizens or deny them fair hearing but to ensure openness and public accountability on corruption investigations involving public office candidates.
The group said Nigerians need to be given reliable information on politicians on trial or under investigation so that voters can make informed political choices.
HURIWA also urged reforms to bolster anti-corruption institutions and restore public faith in the justice system.
The group has suggested reforms like expeditious prosecution of corruption charges against politically exposed persons, tighter judicial measures against excessive delays in trials and the formation of special anti-corruption tribunals with protected timetables for conclusion of cases.
The organization also called for the formation of a national registry of names of politically exposed persons under investigation or prosecution for corruption and financial crimes, to be made available to the public.
It also advised political parties to develop ethical screening systems to ensure that applicants with unresolved corruption allegations do not become candidates for public office.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has called on the National Assembly of Nigeria to examine constitutional and electoral reforms that could raise the bar of integrity in the recruitment of leaders while maintaining the values of fair hearing and presumption of innocence.
“The credibility of Nigeria’s anti-corruption war will not be determined by media headlines, dramatic arrests or political rhetoric but by the ability of institutions to deliver transparent investigations, speedy prosecutions and equal accountability before the law,” the group said.
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