Katsina Times
The International Human Rights Advocacy and Awareness Centre Ltd/GTE (IHRAAC) has called for transparency, due process and accountability following allegations circulating in the public domain concerning the personal expenditures of a senior public office holder in Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory sector.
In a public statement issued on December 16, 2025, the human rights organisation said the allegations remain unproven and must be treated as such until they are independently investigated and established by competent authorities.
IHRAAC stressed its firm support for the principles of presumption of innocence, the rule of law and due process, describing them as fundamental pillars of democracy and human rights.
However, the organisation noted that public confidence in governance is closely tied to transparency and accountability, particularly at a time when millions of Nigerians—especially women, children and displaced persons—are facing acute poverty, insecurity, unemployment and limited access to basic social services.
According to IHRAAC, for vulnerable populations, the perception or reality of unaccounted wealth among public officials often deepens feelings of exclusion, injustice and hopelessness. It warned that such conditions contribute to rising insecurity, social unrest, human trafficking, school dropouts, gender-based violence and other human rights violations.
The centre therefore called on relevant oversight institutions, including the Code of Conduct Bureau, anti-corruption agencies and the National Assembly, to independently verify the facts surrounding the allegations, ensure full compliance with asset declaration requirements and public service ethics, and communicate their findings transparently to the Nigerian public.
“Our call is not for condemnation, but for clarity, accountability and reassurance that public institutions exist to serve the common good,” the statement said.
IHRAAC also urged governments at all levels to scale up investments in education for disadvantaged children, strengthen security and protection for rural and conflict-affected communities, and expand social welfare systems aimed at reducing inequality and vulnerability.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful advocacy, civic education and the protection of the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, adding that transparent governance remains essential for reducing poverty, improving security and restoring public trust in the state.
The statement was signed by the International Human Rights Advocacy and Awareness Centre Ltd/GTE (IHRAAC).
