BY AHMED AKANBI

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conclude investigations involving former Governors Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Yahaya Bello of Kogi State in line with the law.

The rights group also urged political parties to adopt transparent standards in selecting candidates for elective offices, especially where corruption allegations remain unresolved.

HURIWA made the call in a statement issued over the weekend and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko.

It said an opinion poll it conducted across the country with over 6,000 respondents showed overwhelming opposition to parties fielding candidates with unresolved graft cases.

According to the association, 99 percent of respondents opposed the practice, raising particular concerns over the reported plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field Okowa for the Delta North senatorial contest.

HURIWA asked the EFCC to clarify the status of its investigation into Okowa, who was arrested in November 2024 over alleged mismanagement of funds during his eight-year tenure.

It cited reports that the probe concerns the alleged handling of N1.3 trillion in 13 per cent derivation funds received between 2015 and 2023, and questions over alleged investments and share acquisition in a floating liquefied natural gas project.

The group stressed that the allegations do not establish guilt, noting that Okowa has denied any wrongdoing.

It urged the commission to either prosecute if evidence is sufficient or publicly clarify if it is not.

“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.

On Bello, who is facing allegations of diversion of public funds while in office, the association said the case should proceed transparently and through due judicial process.

HURIWA cautioned that investigation or accusation should not be equated with conviction.

It also called on the APC to explain its reported choice of Okowa for Delta North and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to apply electoral laws impartially, noting that eligibility questions should be determined by constitutional provisions, not allegations alone.