The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected allegations by some political actors accusing it of being weaponised to target opposition figures, insisting that its operations remain strictly guided by law and free from political influence.
In a statement issued on Monday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency described claims of weaponisation of the EFCC, erosion of its independence, and persecution of opposition politicians as a deliberate misrepresentation of its statutory mandate.
The EFCC said only “weapon” is the EFCC Establishment Act, which empowers the commission to investigate and prosecute all cases of economic and financial crimes, irrespective of political affiliation.
“The Act mandates the commission to investigate and prosecute all economic and financial crimes,” the statement said, noting that the only exception to prosecution applies to political office holders who enjoy constitutional immunity while in office.
The commission stressed that suspects from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), opposition parties, and non-partisan actors do not enjoy immunity and are equally subject to investigation and prosecution.
Oyewale said records of arrests and prosecutions over the past two years under the current EFCC leadership show that prominent members of the ruling party, including former governors and ministers, are being prosecuted alongside opposition politicians and other individuals.
“The truth about the EFCC is that it is only faithful to its mandate and nothing else,” the statement said.
“That mandate is about tackling corruption and not any imaginary adversary or political motive.”
The commission described as untenable the claim by opposition politicians that there is a pattern of persecution aimed at weakening them for the benefit of the ruling party.
“Where is persecution in asking a suspect of corrupt practice to account for his sleaze?” the EFCC asked.
“Is stealing, embezzlement of public funds, contract fraud, and money laundering excusable for some?”
It maintained that corruption has no gender, religion, tribe or political party, adding that selective outrage cannot be used as a defence against investigation.
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The EFCC warned that attempts to intimidate or blackmail the commission into abandoning investigations against opposition politicians pose a greater threat to democracy than the commission carrying out its lawful duties.
According to the agency, criticisms against its operations are a veiled attempt to shield politicians who recently moved into opposition from prosecution for alleged corruption.
“This gambit is alien to the Nigerian Constitution and the enabling law of the commission,” the statement said, stressing that both compel action against any credible allegation of graft, regardless of political standing.
The EFCC said it would not succumb to blackmail or be pressured into conducting inconclusive investigations in a bid to appear non-selective.
It also cautioned against 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 moves may not serve the national interest.
The commission called on Nigerians to support its anti-corruption mandate, urging “well-meaning, reform-minded and patriotic citizens” to stand with the EFCC in what it described as a dignity-restoring fight against corruption.
