Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has pushed back strongly against what it described as a wave of “deliberate misrepresentation” of its work, insisting that its mandate is firmly rooted in law and has nothing to do with targeting opposition politicians.
In a statement issued via its official X handle, the anti-graft agency said it was aware of the growing “frenzy of accusations” by some political actors who have questioned its operations and motives.
According to the Commission, claims of “weaponisation of the EFCC,” “erosion of EFCC’s independence,” “persecution of opposition politicians” and “politicisation of EFCC’s operations” are misleading narratives aimed at distracting from its core responsibility of tackling economic and financial crimes.
“The Commission’s weapon is its Establishment Act which provides the ground norm of its activities,” the EFCC stated. “The Act mandates the Commission to investigate and prosecute all economic and financial crimes.”
The agency explained that the only category exempted from prosecution are political office holders enjoying constitutional immunity while in office. Beyond that, it stressed, no individual is shielded by party affiliation or political alignment.
“Suspects of corrupt practices from the ruling party, opposition party and non-partisan actors have no immunity and are being equally investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC,” the statement said.
Backing its position with recent records, the EFCC noted that a review of arrests and prosecutions over the past two years under the current leadership shows that prominent figures from across the political spectrum have faced investigation.
“Strong members of the ruling party such as former governors, ministers and others not publicly known are sharing tables with a motley number of opposition politicians as well and others,” it said.
The Commission maintained that it remains “only faithful to its mandate and nothing else,” describing suggestions of a targeted clampdown on the opposition as “quite untenable.”
It posed a series of pointed questions to its critics: “Where is persecution in asking a suspect of corrupt practice to account for his sleaze? Is stealing, embezzlement of public funds, contract fraud, money laundering and other corrupt practices excusable for some?”
Reiterating that corruption knows no boundaries, the EFCC added, “Corruption has no gender, religion, tribe, political party or other extraneous alignment. Selective outrage cannot be a defence against criminal investigation for graft.”
The Commission warned that attempts to paint its work as anti-opposition pose a greater threat to democracy than its investigations. “What threatens democracy is not the EFCC doing its job, but the attempt to intimidate or blackmail it into abandoning investigation allegations against corrupt opposition politicians for fear of accusations of selectivity,” it said.
According to the agency, the ongoing criticism appears to be a calculated move to shield certain politicians from accountability. “What the so-called opposition politicians are seeking to achieve… is a veiled attempt to confer immunity from prosecution for alleged corruption on politicians who suddenly find themselves in the opposition,” the statement noted.
The EFCC said such a move runs contrary to the Nigerian Constitution and its enabling law, both of which compel action “against any evidence of graft irrespective of the position and political inclinations of the accused.”
Firmly rejecting pressure, the Commission declared: “The Commission won’t succumb to blackmail or be railroaded into inconclusive investigations just to be seen to be non-selective in its operations.”
It also cautioned against hasty calls to amend its enabling Act to satisfy what it described as “the whims of a disgruntled section of the political class,” warning that such changes may not serve the national interest.
The EFCC concluded by appealing to Nigerians to support its work, urging “all well-meaning, reform-minded and patriotic Nigerians to join hands with the EFCC in this dignity-restoring mandate.” It said
