By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the reported freezing of an Osun State Government account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), warning that the development, coming just 10 days before the August 15 governorship election, could undermine constitutional governance, democratic integrity and public confidence in state institutions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, HURIWA described the reported action as one that raises serious constitutional, legal and democratic concerns, particularly because it allegedly affects an account used for the payment of workers’ salaries.
The association argued that if the account was frozen without a valid court order or other clear legal authority, it would amount to an abuse of governmental power and an unconstitutional encroachment on the autonomy of a federating state.
According to the statement endorsed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the timing of the reported account restriction during an election campaign is capable of creating the perception that coercive state institutions are being deployed to disrupt governance and influence the political environment.
“It is unacceptable that any action by a federal agency should create the impression that governance in a federating state can be crippled on the eve of an election without the highest standards of transparency, legality and accountability. Such perceptions, if left unanswered, erode public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law,” HURIWA said.
The rights group stressed that anti-corruption agencies derive their legitimacy from strict adherence to the Constitution and due process, insisting that the EFCC must remain an impartial law enforcement institution and avoid actions capable of creating the impression that it is serving political interests.
It warned that the credibility of any anti-corruption agency could be undermined if its actions appear selective, opaque or politically motivated.
HURIWA further expressed concern over what it described as the cumulative effect of recent political developments in Osun State, urging all government institutions to avoid actions capable of escalating political tension or diminishing public trust in the democratic process.
While acknowledging that investigations into alleged financial crimes are legitimate where supported by evidence, the association maintained that such investigations must be conducted strictly within the law and in a manner that does not unnecessarily paralyse governance or inflict hardship on innocent workers and citizens.
The group argued that any restriction placed on public funds should be subjected to judicial scrutiny and accompanied by full disclosure of the legal basis for such action.
“It is not enough to invoke anti-corruption. The Constitution demands legality, proportionality and accountability. Nigerians deserve to know whether this reported action was authorised by a competent court, the statutory provisions relied upon and the public interest considerations that informed such a consequential decision,” the statement added.
HURIWA called on the EFCC to issue a comprehensive public statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the reported freezing of the account, including the legal authority under which it acted and measures taken to ensure that essential government services are not disrupted.
The association also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, the Nigerian Bar Association, the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, and domestic and international election observers to remain vigilant in safeguarding the credibility of the forthcoming Osun governorship election.
According to HURIWA, democracy can only thrive where institutions exercise restraint, respect constitutional boundaries and remain independent of partisan political interests.
The group further warned that the anti-corruption campaign must never become intertwined with electoral politics, arguing that public confidence in both democracy and law enforcement would suffer if security and anti-graft agencies are perceived as partisan.
It also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to constitutional governance by ensuring that all federal agencies operate within their statutory mandates and avoid any appearance of political interference in the electoral process.
HURIWA concluded by demanding that if the reported restriction on the Osun State Government account cannot be justified by clear legal authority and due process, it should be lifted immediately in the interest of justice, constitutional governance, democratic stability and public confidence.
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