Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has strongly criticised opposition political actors for attacking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the arrest of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, describing their actions as hypocritical and dangerous to Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Adeyanju said he was “astonished by the hypocrisy of the opposition,” accusing them of attempting to shield alleged corruption while claiming to champion national change.
“You cannot, in one breath, claim to want to change Nigeria and, in the next, rise in defence of a glaring case of alleged corruption involving obscene enrichment and the accumulation of unimaginable wealth,” Adeyanju said.
Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is accused of unlawfully acquiring assets worth billions of naira, including multiple luxury properties in Abuja and other locations.
According to Adeyanju, investigations have linked the former minister to high-value houses and assets that cannot be reasonably explained by lawful income.
The activist expressed disappointment that, instead of demanding a broader anti-corruption crackdown, opposition figures chose to criticise and vilify the EFCC over Malami’s arrest.
“What I expected from the opposition was not this shameful defence of an individual facing serious corruption allegations, but a clear call for the EFCC to go further and arrest all corrupt individuals, whether they belong to the All Progressives Congress or any other political platform,” he said.
Adeyanju maintained that the EFCC acted within its mandate by arresting Malami, just as it did in the case of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, who is also facing corruption-related charges.
“This is exactly what an anti-corruption agency is meant to do — go after anyone credibly accused of corruption, regardless of their status,” he added.
Calling for consistency in the fight against graft, Adeyanju warned that Nigeria’s progress would remain stalled if law enforcement continues to be applied selectively.
“If we are really serious about sanitising this country, we must stop defending alleged looters and instead insist that the EFCC investigates and prosecutes all corrupt persons, regardless of political affiliation,” he said. “No individual, no matter how powerful, should be above scrutiny.”
Adeyanju concluded by reaffirming his support for the rule of law, accountability, and an uncompromising stance against corruption in Nigeria.
