By Milcah Tanimu

Garba Shehu, the former spokesperson for ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has strongly criticized Mohammed Adoke, the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, for questioning the integrity of President Buhari. Shehu asserted that Adoke lacks the moral authority to label anyone as corrupt in Nigeria.

In a statement shared with journalists on Sunday, Shehu warned Adoke against branding his former boss, President Buhari, as corrupt. Shehu emphasized that Adoke’s tenure as Attorney General from 2010 to 2015 was marred by a significant backlog of corruption cases, making him unfit to discuss national anti-corruption matters.

Shehu argued that the Buhari administration had to intervene to rescue Nigeria from potential economic collapse caused by corruption issues planted during Adoke’s time in office. He stated, “Former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Mohammed Adokie has been enjoying a spotlight, masquerading as an anti-corruption character in a skit for which he is ill-suited. He neither has the track record nor the moral standing to accuse anyone of corruption, not least the former President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Shehu also expressed amazement that Adoke is a free man despite the extensive corruption that occurred during his tenure, suggesting that the scale of corruption during that period warrants a Nollywood/Kannywood blockbuster on its own.

Mohammed Adoke served as the Attorney General under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, during which several corruption cases involving prominent Nigerians were reportedly mishandled. Adoke himself is currently facing multiple corruption charges in various courts in Abuja.

Shehu’s statement follows Adoke’s recent comments describing the previous Buhari administration as incompetent and corrupt. Adoke cited alleged corruption issues such as the Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) and the Paris Club funding, which he claimed were mishandled during his tenure. He also accused the Buhari administration of being a byproduct of the problems created during his time in office.

Shehu defended the Buhari administration’s anti-corruption efforts, highlighting repatriation of stolen funds from abroad, increased convictions of high-profile individuals, and international recognition, such as the African Union designating President Buhari as its African Continental Anti-Corruption Champion.

In conclusion, Shehu contended that Adoke’s record in office makes him an inappropriate figure to critique the Buhari administration’s anti-corruption efforts, given the corruption allegations associated with his own tenure as Attorney General.