Claims that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has become a tool of the ruling class against opposition politicians have been refuted.
In a statement issued on Monday on its 𝕏 account, the EFCC made it clear that it is exclusively loyal to its mission of combating corruption.
The anti-graft organization further stated that everyone is treated equally and that its operations are impartial toward political connections.
The denial follows a statement signed by a number of opposition politicians, including former vice president Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and others, in which they claimed that the EFCC, Nigeria Police, and other state institutions were increasingly being used for “selective justice” with the ultimate goal of undermining opposition voices and destroying the country’s multi-party democracy in advance of the 2027 general elections.
In response, the EFCC stated that it is solely tasked with combating corruption and not opposition politicians.
The EFCC cited the commission’s arrest and prosecution of suspects from both the ruling and opposition parties as well as non-political players to support its allegation.
The Commission warned the opposition politicians not to poison Nigerians’ minds against the EFCC and declared that it would not give in to any kind of blackmail.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is aware of the frenzy of accusations by some political actors across the country, questioning its operation,” is the whole statement.
“Claims of “Weaponization of the EFCC,” “Erosion of EFCC’s Independence,” “Persecution of opposition politicians,” “Politicization of EFCC’s operations,” and other presumptions contained in a recent media statement by some politicians are purposeful misrepresentations of the Commission’s task in apprehending suspects of financial and economic crimes.”
The Establishment Act, which establishes the foundation for its operations, is the Commission’s first weapon. The Commission is required by the Act to look into and prosecute any financial and economic offenses. Only political officials who have been given constitutional immunity during their tenure are exempt from criminal prosecution by the Commission. The EFCC is equally investigating and prosecuting suspects of corrupt practices from the opposition party, the ruling party, and nonpartisan actors.
Strong members of the ruling party, including former governors, ministers, and others who are not well-known, are dining with a variety of opposition politicians and others, according to a list of arrests and prosecutions made by the Commission during the previous two years under the current leadership.
In actuality, the EFCC is merely loyal to its mandate. This mandate is to combat corruption, not some hypothetical enemy or political agenda. Opposition leaders’ claims that “there is a discernible pattern of persecution of the opposition by the EFCC with the sole objective of weakening same for the benefit of the ruling APC” are deemed untenable by the Commission.
Asking someone who is suspected of engaging in corrupt activities to explain his conduct is not persecution. Is it acceptable for some people to steal, embezzle public funds, commit contract fraud, launder money, and engage in other corrupt activities? Gender, religion, ethnicity, political party, or any other irrelevant alignment have no bearing on corruption. A defense against a criminal probe for graft cannot be based on selective outrage. The key concern is whether the Commission is unfairly investigating or prosecuting opposition politicians.
“The attempt to intimidate or blackmail the EFCC into abandoning inquiry allegations against corrupt opposition politicians out of fear of accusations of selectivity is what undermines democracy, not the EFCC carrying out its duties.
The goal of the so-called opposition politicians’ attack on the EFCC is not at all selfless; rather, it is a covert attempt to shield politicians who have unexpectedly joined the opposition from punishment for alleged corruption. The Nigerian constitution and the Commission’s enabling law, which require mandatory action against any proof of graft regardless of the accused’s position or political inclinations, are incompatible with this tactic.
“To avoid seeming to be non-selective in its operations, the Commission will not give in to extortion or be forced into inconclusive investigations.
“It is not likely to be in the national interest to change the enabling Act to appease the demands of a disgruntled segment of the political class, thus caution is advised.
“We encourage all well-meaning, reform-minded, and patriotic Nigerians to collaborate with the EFCC in this mission to restore dignity.”
“May the Federal Republic of Nigeria be blessed.”
