The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that its investigations into opposition figures are politically motivated.
In a statement on Monday, EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the agency operates a non-partisan mandate, investigating corruption cases involving both ruling party and opposition figures without fear or favour.
“If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party governors and ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” Olukoyede said.
The ADC had accused the EFCC of targeting members of the Opposition Coalition with “politically motivated” summons, alleging that the cases were not based on new evidence but were revived in response to political affiliations.
Describing the claims as “self-serving, diversionary, narrow, and idle,” the EFCC maintained that there is no time limit on criminal investigations and that all allegations of corruption deserve to be probed.
“Available records in our courts show that several political figures from all divides are answering charges of alleged economic and financial crimes. Many serving state governors of various political colourations are also on the Commission’s investigative radar,” the statement read.
The Commission stressed that it would not be pressured into revealing details of ongoing discreet investigations and reiterated that “fraud is fraud, corruption is corruption,” with no sacred cows in its operations.
The EFCC urged political parties and groups to focus on their activities and allow it to carry out its statutory duties, warning against politicising its work.
“All well-meaning Nigerians should ignore political statements meant to heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury,” the statement added
EFCC rejects ADC’s allegations of political bias, says mandate non-partisan
