By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted the public to planned campaigns of calumny by politicians and interest groups seeking to undermine the commission’s work.
In a statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC said a network of paid operatives including politicians, academics, self-styled civil society activists, and some Nigerian fugitives in the diaspora have been recruited to orchestrate media attacks targeting EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and the institution. The coordinated campaigns, the commission said, falsely allege political bias in the execution of its mandate.
“These efforts aim to befuddle the work of the Commission and, through scaremongering, intimidate it into a timid mode where it would avoid investigating opposition politicians for fear of being labelled partisan,” Oyewale said. He added that such campaigns are expected to intensify as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
The EFCC stressed that it maintains a non-political stance in all its activities. It noted that both ruling and opposition politicians with corruption allegations remain subject to investigation, and several are currently facing trial. The commission also clarified that its adherence to due process including respect for defendants’ constitutional rights is not a defence of any individual or political group.
Oyewale in this statement noted that attempts to pressure or intimidate the EFCC into disclosing investigations of politically exposed persons will not succeed. “The Commission will continue to pursue justice without fear or favour in the fulfilment of its mandate,” he said.
