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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been warned against “banana peels” by politicians, which could tamper with the reputation of the Commission and its determination to fight corruption in Nigeria.
The advice was in response to recent “unfolding drama” regarding the alleged corruption investigation against the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the officials of the commission.
The commission was also warned against prioritising political battles that are counterproductive to the anti-corruption policy of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Activists and lawyers, under the umbrella of the Committee for The Defence of Democracy and Rule of Law, made the call in a statement released in Abuja, yesterday.
Co-Convener of the Committee, Barrister Kayode Mogbojuri, in the statement, asked EFCC not to become a tool of political witch-hunt in the hands of “disgruntled” politicians seeking political retribution against opponents or perceived enemies.
He said: “For instance, the way EFCC is handling the current corruption allegations against former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, is becoming a case of clear political witch-hunt by his political opponents, for whom the EFCC seems to be a ready tool to be manipulated into fighting their proxy wars.
“In every country that the fight against corruption has been politicised, corruption has not only thrived but, also, imploded. Politics and law enforcement should be water and oil that cannot mix.”
He advised the commission to leave politicking to politicians and concentrate on professionalism and delivery of its constitutional anti-corruption mandate without political pollution, which has the potential to make it lose local and international support.
“The slant of the EFCC’s operations, if not checked, could attract unnecessary local and international suspicion as to the real intentions of the commission.
if it becomes obvious that it is tilting towards political persecution, rather than legal prosecution and trampling on the sacred principles of the rule of law.
