Follow Us on Google
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed accusations of being weaponised against opposition figures, describing them as a calculated ploy by corrupt politicians seeking to evade investigation.
On Sunday, a coalition of opposition political leaders raised the alarm on alleged use of state institution, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the police to persecute key politicians.
The opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi , interim national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark; Mallam Lawal Batagawara, Chief Olabode George and Chief John Odigie -Oyegun, in a joint statement claimed state institutions were been deployed to weaken opposition voice and dismantle the country’s multi-party democracy.
The opposition leaders, who noted that the EFCC, which was designed as an agency to combat graft and enhance accountability stands the risk of becoming an instrument of persecution and undermining democracy and justice, implored President Bola Tinubu to recognise that social and political injustice “could snowball into mayhem as the nation approaches another election cycle.”
They called for the depoliticization of the EFCC, to insulate it from political interference, stating that the anti graft agency must refocus on detection and prevention of economic crimes across board, and not selective prosecution, media trial or intimidation of opposition politicians.
But EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, noted that the claim was a ploy by corrupt oppositions to shield themselves from accountability in the nation.
He said the claims of “weaponisation of the EFCC,” “erosion of its independence,” and “persecution of opposition politicians” are deliberate misrepresentations of the commission’s statutory duties.
“The EFCC’s “weapon” is its Establishment Act, which obliges the agency to investigate and prosecute all economic and financial crimes.
“The only exemption from prosecution, according to the commission, applies to political officers who enjoy constitutional immunity while in office.
“All other suspects, regardless of party affiliation, are subject to investigation and, where evidence exists, prosecution.”
Oyewale said a review of arrests and prosecutions over the past two years under the current leadership showed that there were no sacred cows.
The commission’s spokesman said that senior members of the ruling party, including former governors and ministers, had been charged alongside a range of opposition figures and others.
Oyewale said these cases demonstrated that its work was not limited to any single political camp.
He said that the opposition’s allegation that there was a “discernible pattern of persecution” aimed at weakening the opposition for the benefit of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was unfounded.
He wondered whether asking a suspect to account for alleged sleaze constitutes persecution, stressing “stealing, embezzlement, contract fraud and money laundering are not excusable on partisan grounds. Corruption has no gender, religion, tribe, political party or other extraneous alignment.”
Oyewale also said that selective outrage could not serve as a defence against criminal investigation, and that the crucial question was whether opposition politicians were being investigated on legitimate evidence or merely because of their political status.
He also advised against attempts to intimidate or blackmail the EFCC into abandoning investigations.
According to him, the commission will not be swayed by pressure to appear non selective and will continue to act on any evidence of graft, irrespective of the accused’s position or political leanings.
Commenting on calls for amendment of the EFCC’s enabling Act by a “disgruntled section of the political class,” he urged caution, saying such changes were unlikely to serve the national interest.
Oyewale advised circumspection before any legislative adjustments that could undermine the agency’s mandate.
He appealed to “all well meaning, reform-minded and patriotic Nigerians” to join hands with the commission in its “dignity restoring mandate.”
Oyewale urged citizens to support the fight against corruption and to reject attempts to politicise the agency’s work.
