The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that its recent actions against some opposition politicians were politically motivated, describing the claims as “self-serving, diversionary, narrow and idle.”
Responding to the ADC’s statement, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said the Commission operates without political bias.
He noted that, under his leadership, the EFCC has investigated both former ministers and governors in the ruling party and should not be faulted for also probing opposition leaders.
“If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party governors and ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” Olukoyede said in a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale.
The ADC had alleged that members of the opposition coalition had received politically motivated EFCC summons, adding that these were “not fresh cases arising from new evidence but new files opened in reaction to emergent political affiliations.”
In its response, the EFCC said the allegations were baseless, stressing that corruption allegations must be investigated regardless of timing or political season.
“The ADC’s unprovoked attack on the EFCC over its handling of politically exposed persons came as a rude shock and amounts to an unwarranted blame game,” the statement read.
“Every objective observer of national politics knows the Commission has been circumspect and dispassionate in carrying out its mandate. The question is, what determines ‘fresh cases’ and old cases? Every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated, and there is no statute of limitations in criminal investigations.”
The EFCC further noted that court records show political figures from across party lines are facing corruption charges, while many serving governors from different political affiliations remain under active investigation.
The anti-graft agency said it would not be blackmailed into making full disclosures of its discreet investigations of any state or non-state actor, no matter the provocation.
“Available records in our courts showed that several political figures of all divide are answering charges of alleged economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption. It is also public knowledge that the EFCC is busy investigating some key figures of the ruling party owing to allegations of corrupt practices.
Besides, many serving state governors of various political colouration are on the investigative radar of the Commission. The Commission will not be blackmailed into making full disclosures of its discreet investigations of any state or non-state actor, no matter the provocation,” the statement added.
Acknowledging the ADC’s own admission that “the EFCC does not belong to the APC” but to the Nigerian people, the commission stressed that “fraud is fraud, corruption is corruption. There is no sacred cow, protected interest or partisan consideration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption.”
He urged political groups to focus on their partisan activities, noting that the opposition figures the ADC was attempting in vain to defend were well aware of the issues that warranted their invitation.
The EFCC said, ”The ADC and other political groups should focus on their partisan activities and allow the Commission to carry out her mandate. Nothing will make an innocent person answer any charge from the EFCC.
“The “opposition figures” the ADC is trying unsuccessfully to white-wash know in their hearts that they have issues that necessitated their invitations by the Commission.
“The immunity against any investigation by the EFCC is accountability and probity. Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption. There is no sacred cow, protected interest or partisan consideration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption.”
The EFCC maintained it would continue its work undeterred, calling on Nigerians to ignore political statements aimed at heating up the polity and diverting attention from “the pillage of the national treasury.”
