Yusuf Usman Alleges EFCC Targets Non-Yorubas, Accuses Anti-Corruption Agencies of Bias
Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Yusuf Usman, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of selective enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
In an interview with Symfoni’s Naija Unfiltered, Usman claimed that under President Bola Tinubu, arrests by Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies have disproportionately affected certain ethnic groups while sparing others.
“We have not seen a single Yoruba man arrested by the EFCC. Aminu Tambuwal, myself, Abubakar Malami, and Nasir El-Rufai are all Fulanis and have faced arrest—but Yorubas are treated like saints. People are watching,” he said.
Usman referenced public figures across different states and ethnicities but clarified that his remarks were about perceived enforcement patterns, not the merits of individual cases. He mentioned Yahaya Bello, Chris Ngige, and Godwin Emefiele as examples of how geography and ethnicity may influence scrutiny.
“Geographically, some areas seem less affected. They’re considered safe,” Usman added, suggesting that discussions about selective enforcement are widespread.
He also pointed to leadership in key agencies as fueling perceptions of bias. “The EFCC and DSS are headed by Yoruba men. The ICPC is led by someone from the Northwest,” he said, highlighting how regional representation may shape public opinion.
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