Nigerian content creator and human rights advocate, Peter Akah, has criticised the systemic corruption and lack of accountability that he says define the country’s governance.
Akah’s comments came in response to the recent confiscation of a massive estate in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The estate, containing 753 duplexes and other properties, is the largest single asset the EFCC has recovered since its establishment in 2003.
While the EFCC announced the forfeiture, it refused to name the individual behind the estate, describing them only as a “former top government official.”
This decision has drawn criticism from the public and activists, including Akah, who questioned why such a major revelation lacked transparency. He expressed concern that the refusal to name the culprit might shield other participants in systemic corruption.
“There is a lot of questions to be answered if the EFCC is still withholding the name. Because what would the name lead you to? Are there co-conspirators? Are there people in government who could have been backing this? Are there people, was it a sophisticated criminal enterprise?” He questioned, while speaking on News Central TV’s Jasiri show on Friday.
“The EFCC needs to look themselves in the mirror and if you want to be an anti-graft agency, let us look, Nigerians we play a lot and that is why we are not able to address our fundamental problems. The EFCC is Nigeria’s leading anti-graft agency that should be fighting corruption and the reason why Nigeria is brought to its knees today is corruption.
“But do you know that the past two EFCC chairmen were taken out of office on corruption and negation?” he said.
Akah pointed to Nigeria’s broader issues with governance, accusing public office holders of greed and misuse of power.
He urged Nigerians to reflect on the wider implications of such cases, highlighting the contrast between the luxurious lifestyles of corrupt officials and the struggles of ordinary citizens, particularly civil servants who cannot afford decent housing.
“Whatever you nurture will develop. Since Nigeria has built a system of nurturing corruption, corruption will continue to fester. By the time you put it up and say complete it and then sell it out, you have moved to another level of corruption.
“Do you know that in Nigeria, there are state governments that with their commissioners or ministries of lands and housing have not been able to come up with 300 units of houses for civil servants or retirees in those states?” he said.
News Central reported that the EFCC’s refusal to disclose the identity of the estate owner had attracted criticism from activist Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore accused the commission of protecting high-profile individuals while publicly shaming minor offenders. In response, the EFCC defended its decision, stating it would be unprofessional to reveal names not directly linked to the property titles.
“Yesterday, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), attacked me for asking them to name the Nigerian Top Brass publicly that they claimed was involved in their biggest-ever asset recovery case. Instead of naming the culprit, they chose to attack my person for asking that this pertinent question be answered, especially considering that they don’t hesitate to ask small-time thieves to display their names and offenses on placards and engage in photoshoots at the commission’s photo studios.
“Instead of doing what was necessary, they came after me for daring to ask them to name the top brass. Here is my response to the attached documents.
“This is the most reckless and irresponsible statement I’ve read from a government agency in a long while. The assertions here are also patently irresponsible,” Sowore said.
