The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has lambasted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its refusal to disclose the identity of the owner of a 753-duplex estate in Abuja recently forfeited to the Federal Government. The rights group condemned the EFCC?s justification for withholding the information, describing it as an act of complicity, selective justice, and a betrayal of Nigeria?s anti-corruption efforts.

Reacting to a statement from the EFCC, HURIWA expressed dismay at the agency?s reliance on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, which it cited as the legal basis for its decision. HURIWA argued that this justification is indefensible and accused the EFCC of shielding influential figures implicated in corruption while hastily parading minor offenders, including alleged internet fraudsters, in the public domain.

HURIWA emphasized that the EFCC?s selective approach to transparency is a gross violation of Section 42(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination. The group noted that EFCC?s actions suggest a deliberate effort to protect powerful individuals while subjecting lesser offenders to public humiliation.

?It is evident that the EFCC is operating with double standards. The agency is quick to parade young men accused of internet fraud for stealing as little as one dollar. Still, when it comes to influential figures suspected of diverting billions of naira in public funds, the EFCC suddenly becomes cautious, hiding behind legal technicalities,? HURIWA said.

The controversy surrounding the seized estate, located in the Lokogoma District of Abuja, intensified after reports by a New York-based online publication and activist Omoyele Sowore allegedly identified its owner. Instead of addressing these claims, the EFCC resorted to attacking Sowore?s credibility, which HURIWA condemned as petty and unprofessional.

?Rather than affirming or denying the allegations about the owner of the estate, the EFCC resorted to attacking Sowore?s personality. This behaviour is unbecoming of an agency tasked with fighting corruption,? HURIWA stated.

HURIWA asserted that the EFCC?s refusal to disclose the estate?s owner represents a glaring double standard. It criticized the agency?s selective approach to transparency, highlighting that during President Muhammadu Buhari?s administration, notorious for its lacklustre anti-corruption efforts, even powerful individuals accused of looting public funds were named and shamed. The group questioned why the EFCC is now justifying the shielding of high-profile suspects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?s government.

?When President Buhari was in office, even powerful individuals accused of stealing public funds were named. Why is the EFCC now justifying this illegality? This selective transparency not only undermines public trust but also sends a dangerous signal that corruption pays for those with influence,? HURIWA said.

Citing Section 36(5) of the Nigerian Constitution, which presumes a person innocent until proven guilty, HURIWA criticized the EFCC?s practice of parading suspects before conviction. The group stated that the EFCC has no legal mandate to parade individuals, but since it has institutionalized the practice as a tool for naming and shaming, it must apply the same standard to all suspects regardless of status.

HURIWA demanded that the EFCC compile a comprehensive list of all suspects it has paraded over the years and pay financial compensation to those who were publicly humiliated without conviction. It also called for systemic reforms to address the discriminatory practices within the anti-graft agency.

?If the EFCC refuses to name the owner of the seized estate, it must pay financial compensation to all those it has paraded in the past. The agency cannot continue this discriminatory practice of naming small offenders while shielding big ones. This selective justice is a betrayal of public trust and a violation of constitutional principles,? HURIWA stated.

The group further called on President Tinubu to hold the EFCC?s leadership accountable, stating that failure to disclose the estate?s owner officially would warrant the immediate dismissal of the agency?s management team.

?The EFCC?s leadership must demonstrate impartiality and transparency in its operations. If they fail to disclose the owner of the estate, President Tinubu must take decisive action to restore public confidence in Nigeria?s anti-corruption fight,? HURIWA said.

HURIWA urged Nigerians to address the systemic loopholes that enable corruption to thrive. However, it stressed that agencies like the EFCC must lead by example by demonstrating impartiality and accountability.

?The EFCC owes Nigerians an explanation. It must stop protecting the corrupt at the expense of the nation?s integrity. Anything short of this is unacceptable. The EFCC?s failure to name the estate?s owner undermines its credibility and the broader fight against corruption. If the agency cannot uphold the principles of transparency and fairness, it has no business being at the forefront of Nigeria?s anti-corruption war,? HURIWA concluded.

Update news