Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed strong concerns over the recent arrest of former House of Representatives member, Hon. Muhammad Kazaure, by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Kazaure, a vocal critic of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, was reportedly apprehended in Kano and transported to Abuja.
The EFCC has yet to release an official statement detailing the reason for his arrest, raising public questions and drawing criticism from opposition figures and civil society actors.
In a statement shared via his official X account, Atiku described the arrest as “lawless” and symptomatic of a broader pattern of repression under the current administration.
“The EFCC has once again plunged headlong into its well-worn pattern of lawlessness,” Atiku wrote. “Kazaure is presently being held incommunicado, with no formal charge or explanation offered to his family, legal team, or the Nigerian people.”
Atiku likened Kazaure’s detention to that of online activist Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, who was recently released after spending days in EFCC custody without formal charges.
The former Vice President argued that while anti-corruption efforts are important, they must be pursued within the bounds of the law and without political bias.
“Even if there were legitimate grounds for arresting any citizen, such action must adhere strictly to the rule of law,” Atiku stated.
“The EFCC is duty-bound to publicly disclose the reasons for any arrest and must not detain individuals indefinitely under the guise of investigation.”
The PDP chieftain also accused the government of selective justice, alleging that critics are being targeted while allies facing corruption allegations remain untouched.
