The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has voiced strong outrage over the alleged disappearance of more than $1 billion that was earmarked to enhance electricity supply during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The funds, reportedly sourced from NNPC/NLNG dividends, were preserved on the recommendation of former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke but have allegedly vanished without explanation.
In a press statement issued on Monday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, accused Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the current Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), of breaching the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act by failing to respond to repeated inquiries regarding the missing funds.
“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 cited a May 15, 2015, letter from Alison-Madueke to former President Jonathan, in which she advised preserving the funds to prevent alleged misappropriation by some ministers. According to the rights group, Jonathan acted on this counsel and ordered that the funds be secured specifically for the electricity sector.
Despite Alison-Madueke’s initial position, HURIWA expressed concern that she later became the target of what it described as a “sustained media and political witch-hunt” by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“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.
The organization revealed that it had submitted two FOI requests to Hon. Ekpo, demanding an account of the missing funds, but had received no response to date.
“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 asserted.
Calling for presidential intervention, the group appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also serves as Minister of Petroleum Resources:
“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 also raised broader concerns over a systemic disregard for the FOI Act among public officials.
“It is unacceptable that ministers and agency heads routinely ignore FOI requests without consequence. This culture of impunity erodes public trust in governance,” Onwubiko stated.
The group warned that continued failure to address the matter could set a dangerous precedent and pledged to take legal action if necessary.
“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.
The controversy highlights enduring challenges surrounding accountability, transparency, and the management of critical infrastructure funding in Nigeria.
