Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to release former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Atiku argued that if the President could direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reverse the freezing of the Osun State Government’s account, he should also be able to issue similar directives to other anti-corruption agencies.
According to Atiku, the development raises serious questions about the operational independence of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies, stressing the need for greater transparency and accountability in their operations.
He further suggested that if the President has the authority to issue such directives to one anti-corruption agency and have them implemented immediately, it calls into question the autonomy of the country’s anti-corruption institutions.
The Presidency and the ICPC have yet to respond to Atiku’s remarks.
