Group Claims EFCC’s Corruption Crackdown is Biased Against Opposition Leaders

An Abuja based civil rights group, Center for Reform and Public Advocacy has condemned the alleged selective prosecution of political opposition leaders in the fight against corruption and warned that the trend may derail democracy if not stopped.

The group noted that the use of Nigeria’s security agencies to intimidate, harass, and prosecute opposition political leaders is a dangerous reminder that the country is at a critical moment in our nation’s democratic history.

Addressing a world press conference on the trend in Abuja on Monday, the Head, Legal Department of the group, Barrister Kalu Kalu Agu said it has become worrisome to see security agencies being weaponized against opposition leaders adding that it sends a chilling message that dissent will be punished and that those in power are above the law.

A statement at the briefing read, “This World Press Conference is organized to tell the whole world that our Democracy is under threat and to express our outrage and deep concern over the disturbing and alarming trend of using the security agencies and some judicial officers to target and silence opposition leaders in Nigeria.

“The use of Nigeria’s security agencies to intimidate, harass, and prosecute opposition political leaders is a dangerous reminder that we are at a critical moment in our nation’s democratic history.

“The very institutions meant to protect Nigerians are now being weaponized against opposition political leaders while members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who have been indicted in so many financial corrupt practices are allowed to walk freely without any consequences whatsoever.

“The selective application of justice in Nigeria is a cancer that threatens the very fabric of our democracy and eats away the foundations of our nationhood.

“A very clear case at hand is the numerous petitions by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Zamfara State against a former governor of Zamfara State Mohammed Bello Matawalle to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requesting for investigation into alleged criminal breach of trust, abuse of office and unlawful conversion of government vehicles.

“Despite the avalanche petitions against the former governor, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is treating the former governor as one who is above the law and untouchable.

‘In the same vein, the criminal investigation file of Mrs. Beta Edu’s financial corrupt case that involves the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and other current government echelons has long gathered irremovable dusts in the cabinets of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“The list is endless. But like a wounded lion, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, is roaring, harassing, intimidating, arresting, detaining and prosecuting opposition political leaders. The prominent amongst them is the Abubakar Malami, SAN, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

“Why is the case of Abubakar Malami, SAN more important to the EFCC than the numerous corrupt cases against the former Governor of Zamfara State, Muhammad Bello Matawalle?

“The answer is not far-fetched. Abubakar Malami, SAN is a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the coalition opposition political party, while the former Governor of Zamfara State, Muhammad Bello Matawalle and Mrs. Beta Edu are members of the Ruling Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), by whose identity are above the law.

“Not too long ago, the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed was seen bemoaning his fate on how the EFCC has been harassing, intimidating, arresting and detaining his commissioners in the state and at the same time tagging him a sponsor of terrorism in Nigeria.

“What is the offence of Senator Bala Mohammed? The answer is very simple! He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an opposition political party in Nigeria.

“We are not by this World Press Conference encouraging indulgence in financial corrupt practices by government officials but to ensure systemic neutrality and equal treatment under the law to all Nigerians irrespective of political leanings.

“We, therefore, condemn, in the strongest terms, the actions of security agencies that have been reduced to mere tools for political persecution. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Police Force, and other agencies must not be used to settle scores or silence critics.

“Some months ago, the Peoples Democratic Party in anguish cried out loudly calling the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho to stop assigning cases that involve the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to some Judges of the Federal High Court, particularly, Justices James K. Omotosho and Honourable Justice Peter O. Lifu.

“Regrettably, due to some of the court cases against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the judgments delivered in the cases involving PDP, the party is now a shadow unto itself.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is not left out in the onslaught against opposition political parties in Nigeria. Almost all the cases filed against the ADC at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division were assigned either to Justice James K. Omotosho or Justice Peter Odo Lifu.

“Ever since the matters were assigned to these Judges, the members of the ADC have been afraid that the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party after the judgments delivered against her might also befall on their party, the ADC, if any judgment is delivered in the said cases by the Judges.

“We are using this forum to remind our judicial officers that when they are used as instruments of political persecution, the independence of the judiciary is compromised, and justice is brought into disrepute.