Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what he described as a recurring pattern of lawlessness, following the recent arrest of former House of Representatives member, Hon. Muhammad Kazaure.
In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, May 10, 2025, Atiku accused the anti-corruption agency of flouting due process and detaining Nigerian citizens without valid legal grounds.
He referenced the earlier case of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, whose release came only after widespread public outrage. “We are seeing a troubling repetition of abuse, this time with Hon. Kazaure, who has been arrested without explanation,” he said.
Atiku alleged that Kazaure, known for his criticism of the Bola Tinubu administration, was picked up in Kano and transported to Abuja where he is being held without access to his family or legal team.
“No charges have been filed, and no official reason has been communicated to the public. Even if there are grounds for arrest, it must be done in line with the rule of law,” Atiku emphasized.
He reminded the EFCC of its constitutional responsibility to uphold due process. “The Nigerian Constitution is clear: a person cannot be detained indefinitely without charge. The EFCC must be transparent and either bring formal charges or release Kazaure,” he stated.
Atiku also suggested that the arrest was politically driven, pointing to Kazaure’s consistent criticism of the federal government. “This appears to be a calculated attempt to intimidate and silence dissenting voices,” he claimed.
He accused the Tinubu-led administration of selectively targeting critics while shielding political allies accused of corruption. “It is deeply hypocritical for this government to shelter the corrupt and punish the outspoken,” Atiku said.
Concluding his remarks, he warned that the Nigerian public is paying attention. “The people are watching, and history will remember these injustices,” he declared.
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