By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
ABUJA – The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned what it describes as the staggering failure of the country’s anti-graft institutions and political leadership to act on alleged corruption surrounding the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
In a strongly worded statement, the group expressed outrage over the reported $2.4 billion sunk into the turnaround maintenance of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which it says has yielded little to no tangible results.
“It is a massive national shame,” HURIWA said. “Yet those responsible walk free, uninvestigated, and unprosecuted.”
The statement, signed by National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) of disgraceful inertia in their duties to arrest, investigate, and prosecute those implicated in what the group called apparent economic sabotage.
“Why are the officials responsible for this monumental waste not in jail?” HURIWA demanded. “What exactly are the EFCC and ICPC waiting for? Must Nigerians continue to tolerate impunity of this scale?”
The group also trained its fire on the National Assembly, accusing lawmakers of turning serious probes into a “political charade” designed to generate campaign slush funds rather than deliver justice.
“Otherwise, how do we explain endless hearings without consequences? Why has no single high-profile conviction emerged?” the group queried.
HURIWA did not spare President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, holding him accountable for what it described as a “deafening silence and unacceptable inaction” in the face of one of the most brazen financial scandals in recent Nigerian history.
“This administration cannot continue to look the other way while public wealth is looted in broad daylight. The President must act—decisively and immediately—or risk being seen as complicit,” the statement added.
The association warned that posterity would deliver a harsh verdict on all institutions and individuals who have failed to act, describing the latest NNPC move to enter yet another agreement with foreign partners as “a suspicious recycling of failed strategies.”
However, HURIWA singled out industrialist Aliko Dangote for praise, noting his courage in speaking out against systemic corruption in the oil sector.
“At a time when many have chosen silence, Dangote has shown uncommon patriotism. His voice reflects the frustration of millions of Nigerians,” HURIWA said.
The group has now demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all officials linked to the failed refinery projects, a transparent forensic audit of all funds spent, public disclosure of all contracts and payment structures, an overhaul of anti-corruption agencies, and an end to what it called “legislative theatrics.”
“Nigeria cannot continue like this. This culture of impunity must end. The looting of public wealth must stop. The time for action is now,” the statement concluded.
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