Claims that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has become an instrument of the ruling class against opposition politicians have been refuted.
In a statement issued on Monday via 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 not influenced by party affiliations.
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 it was 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 its duty is solely to combat corruption, 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 actors, to support its allegation.
The Commission warned opposition politicians not to poison Nigerians’ minds against the EFCC and said 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 complete 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 intentional misrepresentations of the Commission’s task in apprehending suspects in financial and economic crimes.”
First, the Establishment Act, which establishes the foundation for the Commission’s operations, is its weapon. The Commission is required by the Act to look into and prosecute financial and economic offenses. Political authorities who are granted constitutional immunity while in office are the only ones exempt from criminal prosecution by the Commission. The EFCC is equally investigating and prosecuting suspects of corrupt practices from the ruling party, opposition party, and non-partisan actors.
Strong members of the ruling party, including former governors, ministers, and others who are not well-known, are sharing tables with a variety of opposition politicians and others, according to a checklist of arrests and prosecutions made by the Commission during the previous two years under the current leadership.
In actuality, the EFCC is just loyal to its mandate and nothing more. The goal of this mission is to combat corruption, not any hypothetical enemy or political agenda. Opposition politicians’ 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 by the Commission to be very implausible.
Asking someone suspected of corrupt behavior to explain his conduct is not persecution. Is it acceptable for some people to steal, embezzle public funds, commit contract fraud, launder money, or engage in other corrupt activities? Gender, religion, ethnicity, political party, or any other irrelevant alignment has no bearing on corruption. A defense against a criminal probe for graft cannot be selective anger. The key question is whether the Commission is falsely accusing opposition lawmakers in its investigations or prosecutions.
“The attempt to intimidate or blackmail the EFCC into abandoning investigation allegations against corrupt opposition politicians out of fear of accusations of selectivity is what threatens democracy, not the EFCC carrying out its duties.”
“The goal of the so-called opposition leaders’ 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 prosecution for alleged corruption. The Nigerian constitution and the Commission’s enabling law, which both require required 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 unproductive inquiries.
“It is not likely to be in the national interest to amend the enabling Act to appease the whims of a disgruntled section of the political class, so caution is advised.”
“We encourage all well-meaning, reform-minded, and patriotic Nigerians to support the EFCC in its mission to restore dignity.
“God bless Nigeria’s Federal Republic.”
