Atiku accuses EFCC of political witch-hunt amid Malami’s arrest
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised concerns about the direction of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, accusing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of becoming a politically motivated tool rather than an independent agency fighting corruption.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Atiku warned that the EFCC had deviated from its core mission, engaging in what he described as a “brazen political witch-hunt.”
His remarks followed the recent arrest and detention of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) as part of an ongoing investigation.
Atiku alleged that the EFCC had strayed from its founding principles, focusing on political vendettas instead of justice. He argued that the agency’s growing political bias had eroded its credibility and undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
“The politicisation of corruption investigations has rendered the EFCC’s credibility suspect and undermined the very ideals that inspired its establishment,” Atiku said in the statement.
The former vice president specifically criticised the “selective” targeting of opposition figures, including Malami, accusing the EFCC of acting as an extension of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He added that the agency appeared to focus on high-profile opposition leaders while neglecting corruption cases involving members of the ruling party.
