HURIWA demands answers over missing $1 billion meant for electricity supply
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has voiced strong outrage over the alleged disappearance of over $1 billion that was meant to boost electricity supply during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
The funds, reportedly drawn from NNPC/NLNG dividends, were earmarked for development in the electricity sector based on advice from Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources. However, these funds have since disappeared, leaving no explanation as to their whereabouts.
In a press statement issued on Monday, May 19, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, criticized Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the current Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), for failing to respond to repeated requests for information on the missing funds, calling it a violation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
“The silence from Hon. Ekpo and the current administration is alarming. These funds were earmarked for a critical national development project—electricity supply—and Nigerians deserve to know what happened to them,” Onwubiko said.
HURIWA referred to a letter dated May 15, 2015, in which Alison-Madueke had advised former President Jonathan to preserve the funds to prevent alleged misappropriation by certain ministers. The rights group stated that Jonathan had followed this advice, instructing that the funds be secured for the development of Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure.
However, HURIWA expressed dismay that despite Alison-Madueke’s efforts to protect public funds, she later became a target of what the group described as a “sustained media and political witch-hunt” by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“It is ironic that a minister who stood firm to protect public funds is now vilified, while the same funds she sought to safeguard were allegedly looted under the next government,” Onwubiko remarked.
HURIWA revealed that it had sent two formal requests to Hon. Ekpo under the FOI Act, demanding answers regarding the missing funds. Unfortunately, both inquiries went unanswered.
“Hon. Ekpo’s refusal to respond is a blatant violation of the FOI Act. His conduct undermines the principles of accountability and transparency that public officers are sworn to uphold,” HURIWA stated.
The rights group also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who concurrently serves as Minister of Petroleum Resources, to intervene in the matter.
“We urge President Tinubu to direct Hon. Ekpo to comply with the FOI Act and provide a detailed account of the missing funds. Nigerians deserve answers, and the President must show leadership in ensuring transparency,” HURIWA insisted.
Further raising concerns about the culture of impunity in public office, Onwubiko emphasized the need for accountability.
“It is unacceptable that ministers and agency heads routinely ignore FOI requests without consequence. This culture of impunity erodes public trust in governance,” he stated.
HURIWA warned that failing to address this issue would set a dangerous precedent, and it affirmed its commitment to pursuing legal action should the government continue to avoid accountability.
“This matter transcends the missing funds—it is about restoring faith in our democratic institutions. We will not relent until Nigerians get the transparency they deserve,” HURIWA concluded.
