Southern officials claim EFCC harassment slows work

• Agency denies allegations, insists on investigation

From Sola Ojo, Abuja

Some top government officials in certain southern states have alleged incessant harassment by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who visit their offices almost daily, thereby slowing down their work.

The officials, who spoke to Daily Sun anonymously, alleged that the frequent visits were unnecessary and may have been politically motivated.

“They come here almost every week, a lot of them, different faces. Some of the states here in the southern parts of the country, especially South-South and South-East, have their principal officers being harassed on a daily basis.

“The harassment is so tense that they are almost not allowing them to work because of that.

“We appeal to the EFCC leadership to look into the activities of its men in this part of the country and do the right thing.

“We are not by any means stopping investigation, but that should be done in ways and manners that will not stop the state government running,” they said.

However, Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, disagreed with the complainants, stating that the visits must have been part of ongoing investigations in the country.

Oyewale emphasised that the EFCC operatives are simply doing their job and that there is no witch-hunt.

He further explained that the officers may need to visit the affected offices multiple times to uncover new information and establish the truth.

“It would not be correct for anybody to say they are disturbing their work. I’m sure when our men visit, they will tell them the basis of their visits.

“There is nothing like a witch-hunt. When investigations are ongoing, officers involved in the investigation can visit the affected offices as many times as they uncover new things that will require them to confirm and establish the truth.

“We should even credit the officers for being diligent and thorough. We do our work, and we will always do that objectively.

“Sometimes, they will require them to bring specific documents from these government officials but they will not bring them. Those who feel they are being disturbed should provide what the detectives are demanding,” he said.

Oyewale then urged government officials across the country to cooperate with EFCC operatives and provide the required information or documents, rather than resisting their efforts.