{"id":129907,"date":"2026-10-09T18:30:38","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T17:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=129907"},"modified":"2026-10-09T18:30:38","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T17:30:38","slug":"huriwa-urges-efcc-to-conclude-investigations-into-okowa-bello","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/huriwa-urges-efcc-to-conclude-investigations-into-okowa-bello\/","title":{"rendered":"HURIWA Urges EFCC to Conclude Investigations into Okowa, Bello"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Lizzy Chirkpi<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conclude its investigations into former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, insisting that prosecution should commence without delay wherever the evidence justifies it.<\/p>\n

The rights group also criticised political parties for reportedly considering politicians facing unresolved corruption allegations for elective offices, warning that such decisions could undermine public confidence in the fight against corruption.<\/p>\n

In a statement dated September 9, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said an opinion poll it conducted across Nigeria, involving more than 6,000 respondents, showed widespread opposition to the practice.<\/p>\n

According to the association, 99 per cent of respondents disapproved of political parties fielding candidates facing unresolved corruption allegations.<\/p>\n

HURIWA particularly faulted the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over reports that it was considering Okowa for a senatorial contest in Delta North. The group questioned why the party would favour the former governor over the incumbent senator, Prince Ned Nwoko.<\/p>\n

It urged the APC to explain its reported decision and called on the EFCC to clarify the status of its investigation into Okowa.<\/p>\n

Okowa was arrested and detained by the EFCC in November 2024 over allegations relating to the management of funds received during his eight-year tenure as Delta State governor.<\/p>\n

Media reports at the time quoted an unnamed EFCC source as saying that Okowa had reported to the commission’s Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators before he was arrested.<\/p>\n

The source said the investigation concerned the alleged mismanagement of N1.3 trillion in 13 per cent derivation funds received from the Federation Account between 2015 and 2023.<\/p>\n

The allegations reportedly also involved funds allegedly used to acquire shares in a floating liquefied natural gas project and other investments.<\/p>\n

However, HURIWA stressed that the allegations remained subject to investigation and should not be taken as proof of guilt. Okowa has denied wrongdoing, while his aide has maintained that the EFCC has not established a case against him.<\/p>\n

The association said the anti-graft agency owed Nigerians an explanation of the status of the investigation, arguing that it should prosecute if sufficient evidence exists or clarify its position if the evidence does not warrant further action.<\/p>\n

HURIWA also called for transparency in the handling of the allegations against Bello, who has faced accusations relating to the alleged diversion of public funds during his tenure as Kogi State governor.<\/p>\n

The group maintained that the allegations against the former governor should be addressed through a lawful and transparent process, stressing that neither political influence nor electoral ambitions should shield anyone from accountability.<\/p>\n

It cautioned, however, against treating allegations as convictions, insisting that the rights of accused persons must be respected throughout the judicial process.<\/p>\n

\u201cPolitical office should not become a shield against lawful investigation or prosecution,\u201d the group said.<\/p>\n

HURIWA further urged the APC and other political parties to adopt transparent criteria for selecting candidates for elective positions, adding that public concerns about the integrity of aspirants should be taken seriously.<\/p>\n

It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enforce the electoral law impartially, noting that questions of eligibility must be determined in accordance with relevant constitutional and statutory provisions, rather than allegations alone.<\/p>\n

The association said its poll reflected public frustration over what respondents perceived as a gap between political parties’ anti-corruption rhetoric and their decisions on candidate selection.<\/p>\n

HURIWA maintained that Nigerians should not have to choose between upholding the presumption of innocence and demanding accountability from public officials.<\/p>\n

It stressed that both principles must be respected: no individual should be declared guilty without due process, and no politically influential person should be shielded from investigation because of party affiliation or electoral ambitions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Lizzy Chirkpi The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conclude its investigations into former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":70921,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129907","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nHURIWA Urges EFCC to Conclude Investigations into Okowa, Bello - Pointblank News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/huriwa-urges-efcc-to-conclude-investigations-into-okowa-bello\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"HURIWA Urges EFCC to Conclude Investigations into Okowa, Bello - 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