Stop Witch-hunting Abdullahi, AML Tells EFCC

The Association of Maritime Leaders, AML, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to avoid victimising a former Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Inde Diko Abdullahi.

The association in a statement issued in Lagos noted that the recent operation carried out in his Kaduna residence by the commission was an act of intimidation.

It argued that while it was not averse to the ongoing investigation of Abdullahi, it wondered why the anti-graft agency was surprise that someone who attained the former NCS boss level owned the cars discovered at his Kaduna home.

AML in the statement signed by its President, Mr. Marcilinus Udeogwu, accused the anti-graft agency of double standards, noting that the vehicles might have been legitimately obtained or bequeathed to the former Customs Chief.

“The fight against corruption is laudable and the concern of every Nigerian. That is why we have been supportive of the EFCC. We are committed to anything that would make Nigeria corruption free. But to achieve that, victimisation, double standards and vindictiveness should not be the cardinal principles of the EFCC. Unfortunately, we have seen the commission exhibit this on a few occasions to the extent that Nigerians are beginning to lose confidence in the commission and its leadership.

‘’A case in point is the recent invasion of the Kaduna residence of Alhaji Inde Diko Abdullahi who meritoriously served this country. That the cars were discovered is not a big deal but what we find disturbing is the fact that the commission failed to realise that a man who had occupied various sensitive position could have legitimately owned such number of vehicles. Of course, this is Africa where the practice of goodwill is prevalent. Abdullahi may as well have done legitimate ventures that earned him money all these years.