Amanze Chinonye
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign of descending into a politically motivated “witch-hunt,” warning that the fight against graft is losing credibility as it targets opposition figures while shielding ruling party allies, Prime Business Africa reports.
In a statement issued Thursday from his media office, Atiku criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its handling of the high-profile investigation into former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Malami, who defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2025, was recently arrested and detained as part of an ongoing EFCC probe into alleged financial irregularities, according to Prime Business Africa findings.
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The allegations reportedly include money laundering, abuse of office, and questionable handling of recovered public funds, notably a portion of the $310 million Abacha loot, which has attracted national scrutiny. Malami has denied all wrongdoing, dismissing claims about terrorism financing and mismanagement of funds as baseless, while his legal team has challenged the EFCC’s handling of his detention and bail conditions in court.
Atiku described the selective targeting of Malami and other opposition figures, such as Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, as evidence of the EFCC’s partisan bias, contrasting it with the agency’s apparent inaction on corruption cases involving ruling party loyalists. He highlighted instances where former governors with unresolved corruption allegations were rewarded with ministerial and ambassadorial appointments under President Bola Tinubu, yet faced no investigation.
“The politicisation of corruption investigations has rendered the EFCC’s credibility suspect and rubbished the very ideals that inspired its establishment,” Atiku said. “Nigerians are watching in disbelief as an agency created to fight corruption willingly turns itself into a lapdog of the ruling APC used to hound credible opposition, while shielding political loyalists from accountability,” he added, as reported by Prime Business Africa.
The former Vice President accused the EFCC of operating like a “political rottweiler,” allegedly pressuring politicians to join the APC and dropping corruption cases once compliance is secured. He warned that no serious democracy can combat corruption effectively when anti-graft institutions are compromised by political manipulation.
Atiku called on EFCC leadership to detach the agency from political influence, stressing that the integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive is at stake.
“The EFCC must purge itself of partisan contamination; the stakes are too high to barter integrity for fleeting political interests,” he said.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
