The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for an immediate criminal investigation into what it described as a “staggering and systemic diversion” of public funds, following a World Bank disclosure that about N34.53 trillion in Nigerian government revenue was withheld or deducted through opaque mechanisms between 2023 and 2025.

In a statement signed on Sunday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group said the revelation confirms long-held suspicions that a “shadow financial system” now operates within Nigeria’s public finance architecture, enabling the diversion of revenue outside constitutional appropriation processes.

According to HURIWA, the World Bank report, which indicated that roughly 41 per cent of federation revenue failed to reach the Federation Account due to so-called “first-line charges” represents what it termed “a catastrophic indictment” of Nigeria’s fiscal governance structure.

The organisation warned that the development, if left unchecked, poses a serious threat to democratic accountability, economic stability, and public trust in government institutions.

HURIWA argued that while citizens continue to grapple with inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and worsening living conditions, the alleged diversion of such a colossal sum reflects “a morally indefensible and economically criminal arrangement” that benefits powerful state actors.

The group specifically referenced agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigeria Customs Service, and other revenue-generating institutions, which it said have long operated complex retention structures that escape effective legislative scrutiny.

HURIWA stated that the World Bank’s findings expose how these deductions have weakened parliamentary oversight and enabled what it called a parallel fiscal empire operating outside the budgetary framework.

“It is shocking that over N34.53 trillion could be deducted outside transparent appropriation while Nigerians are told to endure austerity and sacrifice,” the group said.

The association also accused the National Assembly of failing in its constitutional duty of oversight, alleging that lawmakers have become silent spectators in the face of large-scale fiscal irregularities.

“A legislature that allows trillions of naira to pass through off-budget channels without accountability cannot claim ignorance. This is institutional failure at the highest level,” HURIWA declared.

The group further urged anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Code of Conduct Bureau, to launch an immediate, comprehensive investigation into the alleged revenue diversion.

It warned that failure to act decisively would erode public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.

“Anti-corruption agencies that chase petty financial crimes while ignoring allegations involving N34.53 trillion lose all moral authority,” the statement read.

HURIWA also called for the establishment of an independent judicial commission of inquiry to investigate all “first-line charges” and statutory deductions made between 2023 and 2025, as well as a forensic audit of implicated agencies.

It demanded full public disclosure of all beneficiaries of the deductions, legal authorisations, and expenditure details, alongside suspension and prosecution of officials found culpable.

The association urged Nigerians, civil society groups, labour unions, student bodies, and religious organisations to demand accountability and consider democratic recall processes against lawmakers who fail to act.

“Public office must never become a licence for organised economic sabotage,” Onwubiko stated, adding that Nigeria “cannot continue to function as a republic where citizens suffer while elite institutions operate unchecked financial systems.”

HURIWA also issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and anti-corruption agencies to announce concrete investigative steps, warning that continued silence would confirm fears of institutional capture.

“History will not forgive those who remain silent while the nation’s resources are systematically stripped away under the guise of administrative deductions,” the group warned.