Several civil society organizations under the Committee Against Oppression and Persecution (COMAP) have raised serious concerns regarding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its handling of the arraignment of Abdullahi Ganduje, the immediate past governor of Kano State. The civil societies have urged President Bola Tinubu to address what they describe as a lack of precision in the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
Ganduje, alongside his wife Hafsat, his son Umar, and six others, faced allegations of bribery amounting to $413,000 and N1.38 billion. The charges were brought by the Kano State Government, but the defendants were notably absent during their court appearance. As a result, they were arraigned in absentia, which has sparked a wave of criticism from the coalition of civil societies.
The group is calling for a more effective anti-corruption campaign and has criticized the EFCC for what they perceive as selective justice. They argue that the commission has been unfairly targeting law-abiding citizens while failing to address more serious cases involving established criminals. According to the coalition, the EFCC’s actions have led to a distorted image of Nigeria’s fight against corruption, undermining public trust in the institution.
In a statement released on Thursday, COMAP expressed its dissatisfaction with the EFCC’s approach to handling corruption cases. The statement, signed by COMAP Chairman Ibrahim Kure and Secretary Barr. Udoji Franklin, highlighted what they described as the EFCC’s “penchant for selective persecution” of individuals who are perceived to be at odds with certain political interests.
The civil societies pointed out that the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCCAC), Muhuyi Magaji, had claimed that the agency had traced several billions of naira allegedly diverted by Ganduje. This claim, they argue, should have led to more concrete actions against the former governor.
The statement detailed the timeline of the legal proceedings against Ganduje and his co-defendants. “The Kano High Court was scheduled to arraign the former Kano Governor, Umaru Ganduje, and his wife on April 17, 2024, over allegations of bribery and misappropriation of funds,” the statement reads. “Neither he nor his wife attended the court session. They also showed a lack of respect for the court by not sending any legal representation.”
The case was adjourned to April 29 but was delayed again due to the continued absence of Ganduje and his legal team. Subsequent adjournments were scheduled for May 16, June 5, and finally July 11. On July 11, Ganduje and his co-defendants were again absent, and the judge chose not to issue a warrant for their arrest but allowed the trial to proceed in their absence. The civil societies noted that this case is similar to another high-profile corruption case involving a former governor, which the EFCC has been actively pursuing.
The civil societies are calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restore credibility to Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts. They argue that the EFCC should stop misleading the public by unfairly targeting individuals without sufficient evidence while allowing more significant cases of corruption to go unaddressed. They believe that the image of the country’s fight against corruption is being compromised by these actions.
In addition to the Ganduje case, COMAP pointed out other unresolved cases that they believe the EFCC has neglected. They specifically mentioned the ongoing investigation into N70 billion money laundering allegations against Bello Matawalle, the former Governor of Nasarawa State. The civil societies are aware that Matawalle has a restraining order against arrest, which they believe has contributed to the stagnation of his case.
COMAP’s statement urges the EFCC to focus on conducting a fair and thorough fight against corruption, starting with reforms within its own ranks. The coalition emphasizes that if the EFCC cannot manage its responsibilities effectively, it should refrain from targeting vulnerable political figures for personal or political gain.
The civil societies argue that it is crucial to assign real responsibility to those who are genuinely committed to tackling corruption in Nigeria. They criticize what they see as dangerous political maneuvers that undermine the integrity of the anti-corruption campaign. According to them, the EFCC should prioritize transparency and justice over political expediency to restore faith in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
The call from COMAP represents a growing concern among civil society groups about the state of corruption investigations in Nigeria. Their criticism highlights a broader issue of accountability and fairness within the country’s legal and anti-corruption frameworks. As the debate continues, many are watching closely to see how the EFCC and other relevant authorities will respond to these allegations and demands for reform.
