CITIZENS COMPASS—A civil society organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tread carefully in the prosecution of opposition figures, particularly former vice president and presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
In a tersely worded statement, the group’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, warned that reopening the case file of a presidential candidate at this time could inflame passions.
He expatiated further:
”The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly reopened its investigation into allegations against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following a petition by former House of Representatives member, Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, seeking his prosecution over alleged financial crimes.
“It is an I’ll wind that blows nobody any good. We warn that reopening the case file of a presidential candidate at this time could inflame passions. EFCC should not heat up the polity. No candidate should be underestimated. EFCC should rethink the reopening of Atiku’s file.
”It is instructive that some lawmakers in the National Assembly have uncovered corruption cases. Several other Nigerians who have cases of fraud to answer are walking the streets. EFCC should do a rethink on the reopening of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s case file particularly at this sensitive period.
”MURIC is not encouraging corrupt practices. Neither are we saying the law must not take its due course. What we are saying is that there should be a plain level field. All alleged fraud offenders should be given equal treatment. There should be no selective apprehension of perceived offenders. But in particular, a sensitive electioneering period should not be turned into a hunting season.
”Where has EFCC been all these years?Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s case file has always been in EFCC’s cabinet (since 2006) and this presidential candidate has never hidden his intention to contest over and over again.
”Was EFCC on sabbatical when Atiku threw his hat in the ring this time around? Was the anti-graft agency on strike when his party gave him the mandate? It will be provocative to arrest him now or start any investigation. It is a ruse. EFCC should not play the advocatus diaboli.
”We should be mindful of protest votes if leading opposition candidates are clamped in jail. Sympathy votes may motivate lackadaisical citizens to vote and spend quality time at the polling booths to protect their votes. It is therefore not in the interest of the ruling party nor that of President Bola Tinubu to start throwing opposition candidates in jail a few weeks to a general election. Clamping them in jail may even prove catalysts for their emergence as winners at the end of the day.
”Anwar Ibrahim came from prison to become prime minister of Malaysia in May 2018. Nelson Mandela of South Africa (1994), Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar (2015), Jawaharlal Nehru of India (1947), etc exchanged prison uniforms for presidential pomp and pageantry.
”It appears we are focusing on that famous Latin proverb which says, ‘Si vis pacem, para bellum.’ This adage translates directly to: ‘If you want peace, prepare for war.’
”Arresting any presidential candidate at this time will be a wrong strategy. It will look as if we are preparing for war. But that is not what our dear country needs at this time because we are fighting one already. We have been fighting a deadly insurgency for the past twelve years at huge costs. EFCC should not ignite another for us.
”As a civil society organization, we have a duty to stand up for all candidates and all citizens. In particular, we believe that every Muslim, nay, every Muslim candidate has the right to enjoy Allah-given fundamental human rights. Atiku is a Muslim candidate and MURIC has a duty to give him equal treatment as we gave those who are enjoying the Muslim-Muslim ticket today when they were contesting in 2023.
”That is not to say that we will look the other way if a non-Muslim candidate is unfairly treated. Islam does not permit us to be unjust even to non-Muslims. Justice in Islam has no boundaries, no colour, no ethnicity, no nationality and no race.
”Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an, ‘Oh you who believe, stand firm in justice, as witnesses for Allah, even if it is against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether those involved are rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. Do not follow your desires, lest you be unjust. If you distort your testimony or refuse to give it, then Allah is aware of what you do.’
”These are the divine directives of Allah. Therefore, MURIC has no option than to abide by the instruction and to speak truth to both ‘power’ and ‘powerless’, perchance they will listen and our country will receive Allah’s blessings.
”The best advice we can give EFCC is to rethink the reopening of Atiku’s file. Nigerians are not fools. Nobody will believe that opening Atiku’s file at this time is procedural.
”Just like in John Davis’s novel, ‘The Post Captain’, written in 1804, where he said, ‘Tell that to the Marines. They will believe you. The sailors won’t!’ and if the sailors won’t, Nigerians never will. EFCC should close politicians files for now. Let Nigeria breathe, please.”
