EFCC Refutes Claims of Intimidation Against Opposition Figures, Vows to Continue Anti-Corruption Fight
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied claims that it is targeting only members of opposition political parties.
EFCC said that it is not politically motivated and reiterated its commitment to combatting corruption across all sectors and political divides.
The clarification from the anti-graft agency comes in the wake of the recent arrest of former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, over an alleged ₦189 billion fraud. The arrest has sparked criticism and political witch-hunting from prominent individuals, political parties and organisations, including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Responding to these allegations in a statement issued on Tuesday, the EFCC said: “The African Democratic Congress, ADC’s unprovoked attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, concerning its handling of cases involving politically exposed persons from every divide, came as a rude shock and unwarranted blame game.
“Every objective and discerning watcher of events in the national political scene, would admit that the Commission has been circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of its mandate. The ADC claims that ‘Opposition Coalition have received EFCC summons that are clearly politically motivated. These are not fresh cases arising from new evidence but new files opened in reaction to emergent political affiliations to intimidate key opposition figures’, are clearly self-serving, diversionary, narrow and idle.”
“The question is, what determines ‘fresh cases’ and old cases?,” the Commission asked, explaining that every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated and there is no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations.
EFCC emphasised that available court records show that numerous political figures from across all parties are currently facing charges of alleged economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
It also disclosed that several high-profile individuals within the ruling party are under investigation due to allegations of corruption.
The statement further read: “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 ADC was right to have admitted that ‘the EFCC does not belong to the APC. It belongs to the Nigerian people. It is funded by taxpayers, not the ruling party’. Nothing can be farther from this truth. The ADC and other political groups should focus on their partisan activities and allow the Commission to carry out her mandate.”
EFCC reiterated that no innocent person has anything to fear, noting that the opposition figures the ADC is trying unsuccessfully to whitewash know in their hearts that they have issues that necessitated their invitations.
It affirmed that the immunity against any investigation by the agency 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 Commission added that it will continue to do its job and enjoined Nigerians to ignore political statements meant to heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury.
