Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC’s) sudden withdrawal from the corruption trial of a former governor, Danjuma Goje, just after he agreed to back President Buhari’s candidate for the Senate Presidency, is causing an uproar among Nigerians.
Both critics and supporters of Mr. Buhari’s government have spoken on social media over the sudden withdrawal of EFCC from a case that has been in court for about 8 years. Many believed that the Presidency was aware of the matter.
Below are the reactions of some Nigerians over the sudden EFCC withdrawal:
Farooq Kperoogi, a journalism professor, wrote on Twitter that a witness of the meeting on Thursday said it was President Buhari that gave the withdrawal order.
“I’ve just learned from someone who witnessed Danjuma Goje’s meeting with Buhari in Aso Rock that it was Buhari who PERSONALLY gave orders that Goje’s N25b fraud case be withdrawn,” he wrote. “It was d condition Goje gave Buhari for supporting Ahmed Lawan for senate Pres.”
He dismissed Mr Buhari’s claim to “integrity”.
Kayode Ogundamisi, one of the supporters of Mr. Buhari’s government, said the timing of EFCC withdrawal was suspicious.
“The timing of @officialEFCC withdrawal is suspicious, the office of the AGF historically and currently is the weakest link in the anti corruption campaign, to remove any doubt or conspiracy theories, the AGF office must prosecute Goje’s case diligently. N25 billion isn’t small.”
Reno Omokri, a government critic, said: “Danjuma Goje withdraws from the Senate President’s race in favour of @MBuhari‘s anointed candidate, Farouk Lawan, and the next day the @OfficialEFCC withdraws from his corruption case. I like the way Buhari fights corruption! #FreeLeahSharibu#RenosNuggets”.
Deji Adeyanju, another critic, also tweeted: @ adeyanjudeji “You can’t leave Goje alone for N25billion & be disturbing Nigerians. EFCC should stop harassing Nigerians,” he said. “There’s no one they ever accused of corruption that Buhari has not negotiated with. From Akpabio to Goje, to Orji Uzo Kalu, etc; he has negotiated with them. The only people he didn’t negotiate with were those who refused to cross over to support him. Even the Bullion Van guy.”