HURIWA seeks probe of alleged ₦8.8tn off-budget expenditure

By Chioma Obinna

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for an independent investigation into allegations that about ₦8.8 trillion in public expenditure was incurred outside Nigeria’s official budget framework.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group described the allegations as a serious concern for fiscal transparency and accountability.

HURIWA said the claims, which it noted were highlighted during the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV Consultation and referenced by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, should be subjected to a transparent forensic investigation rather than political exchanges.

According to the group, if established, the allegations would represent one of the most significant cases of fiscal opacity in Nigeria’s democratic history.

It argued that public expenditure running into trillions of naira should not occur outside the statutory budget process without legislative oversight and public accountability.

The organisation also described the response attributed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy as inadequate, given the gravity of the allegations.

HURIWA urged the Federal Government to publish documents detailing the legal basis, appropriation approvals, expenditure records and audit trail relating to any funds allegedly spent outside the approved budget framework.

The group called on President Bola Tinubu to establish an independent Judicial Commission of Inquiry comprising jurists, forensic auditors, chartered accountants, civil society representatives and financial crime experts to investigate the matter.

It also urged the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional oversight responsibilities by conducting a public hearing on the alleged off-budget expenditure.

In addition, HURIWA called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and other relevant agencies to carry out coordinated forensic investigations.

The association said any public official found culpable after due process should be prosecuted in accordance with the law, while any funds determined to have been unlawfully diverted or spent outside constitutional provisions should be recovered and returned to the Federation Account.

HURIWA maintained that the matter extends beyond politics, describing it as an issue of constitutional governance, fiscal discipline and public confidence in the management of public resources.

The group also appealed to the media, civil society organisations, professional bodies and development partners to support efforts aimed at ensuring a transparent and independent investigation into the allegations.

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