Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly violating due process by arresting and detaining former federal lawmaker, Hon. Muhammad Gudaji Kazaure, without filing any formal charges.
In a post shared on his verified Facebook page on Saturday morning, Atiku described the EFCC’s detention without charges as part of a troubling trend by the anti-graft agency. He accused the EFCC of operating with “brazen disregard for due process,” stating that the agency had offered no explanation for holding Kazaure since his arrest in Kano.
“This has become the EFCC’s well-worn pattern of lawlessness,” Atiku said. “They detain citizens for days without charging them, which is a direct violation of their constitutional rights.”
Atiku linked Kazaure’s detention to his outspoken criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. According to him, Kazaure has been one of the most vocal voices against what he described as “gross misgovernance” by the current government.
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“Kazaure was taken from Kano to Abuja and is being held incommunicado. No charges. No information to his family or lawyers. It’s hard not to see this as punishment for his fearless criticism of the government,” Atiku stated.
He also referenced the recent arrest of social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, who was only released after public backlash. Atiku said these incidents show a pattern of abuse by the EFCC, calling the agency’s actions unconstitutional and undemocratic.
“Even if the EFCC believes it has a reason to arrest someone, the law requires that they explain the reason publicly and bring the person before a court,” Atiku stressed. “EFCC detention without charges goes against everything our Constitution stands for.”
He warned that continued disregard for due process would only damage the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. “When the government goes after critics while turning a blind eye to corrupt allies, the people will notice — and history will not forget,” he concluded.
Atiku’s comments add to growing concern over EFCC’s detention without charges, which many believe is being used to silence dissent and opposition voices in the country.
