The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) appears to demonstrate efficiency largely when opposition figures are involved.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the claim during an interview on ARISE 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-Rufai.
Abdullahi expressed concern that national anti-corruption institutions were being perceived as partisan.
“We have the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, two national institutions funded by public money to probe and investigate corruption charges and prosecute people for corruption practices,” he said.
“But they appear to be only efficient and effective when opposition figures are involved. And we are concerned that national institutions are being turned into partisan agents.”
The ADC spokesman further questioned what he described as selective prosecution.
“Because all you need to do is to look at the side of the government and see the kind of individuals in the rank of the ruling All Progressives Congress. People who still have cases in court, people who have been investigated in the past, but suddenly the moment they join the ruling party, they use the broom to sweep it under the carpet,” Abdullahi alleged.
He, however, maintained that the party was not taking a position on the guilt or innocence of the individuals involved.
“So we are not saying El-Rufai or Malami is guilty or not guilty. We are concerned about the bastardization of national institutions and weaponization of institutions against opposition figures,” he added.
