By Muhammad Mamman
— Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development Solomon Dalung has reignited public debate over Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive after raising fresh questions about past allegations involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement shared on social media, Dalung alleged that Akpabio was previously arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under its former acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, with what he described as large sums of foreign currency reportedly recovered from the Senate president’s residence.
Dalung questioned why the matter did not lead to prosecution, asking: “Why is he not prosecuted? What happened to Edu Betta’s case?”
The former minister did not provide documentary evidence to support his claims, and neither the EFCC nor Akpabio has issued an official response to the allegations.
Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State and immediate past minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has previously denied wrongdoing in past corruption-related accusations, insisting that he has never been convicted of any offence.
Dalung’s comments come amid growing public scrutiny of Nigeria’s political elite and renewed calls for accountability, as civil society groups continue to urge anti-graft agencies to pursue corruption cases without fear or favour.
Analysts say the latest remarks highlight persistent concerns over selective justice and the perceived lack of transparency in high-profile investigations.
As of the time of publication, efforts to obtain comments from the EFCC and the Senate president’s office were unsuccessful.
