Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, accusing them of abandoning their primary mandate and turning the nation’s anti-graft fight into what he called a “full-blown political witch-hunt.”
In a statement released on Thursday by his media office and circulated by his adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku highlighted the recent arrest and continued detention of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as a clear example of what he described as partisan bias within the nation’s anti-corruption institutions.
According to Atiku, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and similar agencies risk losing public trust unless they “purge themselves of partisan contamination.” He argued that the nation’s anti-corruption campaign is dangerously “sliding off course” and turning into a tool for political victimization.
Atiku stressed that the EFCC appears to have strayed from its founding principles, alleging that the agency is now “weaponising its powers to serve narrow political agendas.” He warned that this politicization of corruption investigations has undermined public confidence and tarnished the reputation of Nigeria’s leading anti-graft institutions.
“The politicisation of corruption investigations has rendered the EFCC’s credibility suspect and rubbished the very ideals that inspired its establishment,” Atiku said. He added that selective targeting of opposition figures, including Malami, creates the impression that the EFCC is acting as an “overzealous appendage” of the ruling party rather than an independent anti-corruption agency.
The former vice president highlighted what he described as a “selective pursuit” of opposition leaders. He pointed to Malami and other prominent politicians, including Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, as examples of individuals allegedly targeted while cases involving ruling party affiliates remain largely unaddressed.
“EFCC suddenly became hyperactive the moment the African Democratic Congress (ADC) emerged as an opposition force, launching coordinated attacks on key figures such as Malami and Tambuwal, while conveniently ignoring glaring corruption cases involving allies of the ruling party,” Atiku said.
He accused the agency of partisanship, claiming that if Malami had aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), he would have been left untouched, even if found guilty of serious financial misconduct. “Had Malami defected to the APC, the EFCC would have left him untouched, even if he had looted the entire CBN vault,” Atiku said.
Atiku highlighted that no responsible nation undermines the independence of anti-corruption institutions for political gain. He cautioned that partisan manipulation not only weakens the fight against corruption but also threatens the credibility of democratic governance in Nigeria.
He called on EFCC leadership to insulate the agency from political pressures, saying that its institutional reputation must never be traded for the “fleeting interests of any political party.” Atiku stressed that a truly independent EFCC is crucial to Nigeria’s development and to maintaining public confidence in the rule of law.
Abubakar Malami, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, was arrested by the EFCC and remains in detention amid investigations into alleged corruption. His arrest has sparked debates across Nigeria’s political landscape, with supporters claiming it is politically motivated and critics insisting it is a legitimate investigation.
The controversy surrounding Malami’s detention has intensified discussions about the independence and impartiality of anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria. Atiku’s intervention adds to a growing chorus of voices concerned about the use of anti-graft institutions for political purposes, particularly during election periods and in times of heightened political competition.
Atiku’s statement comes at a time when Nigeria’s political environment is highly charged, with opposition parties accusing the ruling APC of using state institutions to intimidate rivals. His remarks underscore the importance of institutional integrity and transparency in governance, particularly for bodies tasked with investigating corruption.
Many Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions on social media, with supporters of Atiku praising his defense of due process and critics insisting that Malami’s arrest should be allowed to proceed without political interference. The EFCC has yet to respond publicly to Atiku’s statement, but the arrest has already reignited national debates over the scope and impartiality of Nigeria’s anti-graft institutions.
Atiku concluded his statement by urging the EFCC and similar agencies to act strictly within the law and remain free from political influence. He highlighted the need for transparency in investigations, fairness in prosecution, and a commitment to combating corruption across all sectors, regardless of political affiliation.
He argued that restoring public confidence in the EFCC is essential for Nigeria’s democratic stability and for ensuring that the anti-corruption fight achieves its intended purpose: protecting public resources and promoting good governance.
“At this critical juncture, Nigeria cannot afford to let its anti-corruption institutions become tools of political vendetta,” Atiku said. “The credibility of these agencies is crucial to our national development and the faith of our citizens in governance.”