The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the whereabouts of trillions of Naira allocated for capital projects in federal ministries over the past two years.
The advocacy group also urged the agencies to probe a fire that broke out Monday morning at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja.
In a statement released by HURIWA National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the rights group described the federal government’s refusal to fund capital budgets as “a new form of sophisticated economic and financial crime” and a “crime against humanity,” citing the failure to provide adequate funding for primary health care, leaving millions of Nigerians without essential medical services.
According to Health Minister Dr. Muhammad Pate, the Ministry of Health received only N36 million of the N230 billion approved for capital expenditure in 2025.
HURIWA highlighted a troubling pattern of fires in strategic government offices, particularly in finance-related departments, which the group suggests may be linked to sabotage.
Previous incidents include the Corporate Affairs Commission and the offices of the Accountant General of the Federation, occurring under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The current administration has reportedly seen similar fires in offices housing procurement and financial documents, with Monday’s blaze at the Head of Service office continuing the trend.
The rights group also criticized EFCC and ICPC for inaction, stating that the failure to fund capital components of federal budgets constitutes a massive financial crime.
HURIWA cited the February 25, 2026, National Assembly budget hearing, during which Representative Alex Mascot Ikwechegh of Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency questioned Finance Minister Wale Edun over N1.15 trillion approved for capital projects that remained largely unfunded despite multiple loans and record revenue collections by agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Nigerian Customs Service.
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During the hearing, Edun reportedly shifted responsibility to Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, who later explained that disbursement protocols had not been fully met.
Lawmakers demanded accountability, highlighting that even ministries that fulfilled documentation requirements received little to no funding. HURIWA said such delays and obfuscation amount to economic crimes that directly harm citizens.
Commenting on the situation, Comrade Onwubiko condemned the federal government for underfunding critical ministries including Health, Education, Water Resources, Agriculture, Women and Children Affairs, and Humanitarian Agencies, despite the president’s frequent international travel and high-profile appearances.
Regarding the fire at the Head of Service office, HURIWA noted that the blaze began around 8:20 a.m., affecting Section C of the Federal Secretariat.
Staff were evacuated safely, firefighters responded promptly, and traffic was diverted near the Federal Court of Appeal. No casualties were reported, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
HURIWA has urged EFCC and ICPC to act decisively, investigate the alleged mismanagement of funds, and ensure accountability for the disbursement of capital project allocations, calling on security agencies to determine whether sabotage or negligence is involved in recurring fires at strategic federal offices.