The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of appearing more effective when investigations involve opposition figures.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the allegation during an interview on television on Thursday, while reacting to the arrest and detention of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i.
Abdullahi expressed concern that Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions were increasingly being viewed as partisan.
“We have the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission — national bodies funded by public money to investigate and prosecute corruption. But they appear to be most effective when opposition figures are involved. That perception is troubling”, he stated.
He also questioned what he described as selective prosecution, arguing that some individuals linked to the ruling All Progressives Congress who previously faced investigations or court cases appear to receive less scrutiny after joining the party.
According to him, the ADC is not asserting the guilt or innocence of any individuals but is concerned about what it calls the politicisation and weaponisation of national institutions.
“We are not saying el-Rufa’i or Malami is guilty or not guilty. Our concern is the erosion of institutional neutrality and the growing perception that these bodies are being used against opposition figures”, Abdullahi stressed.
