EFCC Reaffirms Non-Partisan Mandate Amid ADC’s Allegations
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to a non-partisan anti-corruption mandate, stressing that investigations are carried out without political bias against both ruling and opposition party figures.
This is disclosed in a statement by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.
Reacting to a recent statement by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accusing the EFCC of politically motivated actions against opposition politicians, Olukoyede dismissed the allegations as “self-serving, diversionary, narrow, and idle.”
“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,” he said.
The ADC had claimed that “opposition coalition members have received EFCC summons that are clearly politically motivated,” alleging that the cases in question were not based on new evidence but on political affiliations intended to intimidate key opposition members.
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Olukoyede countered that all corruption allegations, regardless of timing, deserve investigation, noting that there is no statute of limitations in criminal matters. He pointed out that several political figures from different parties are facing charges in court, while many serving governors — including members of the ruling party — are under active investigation.
“The Commission will not be blackmailed into making full disclosures of its discreet investigations of any state or non-state actor, no matter the provocation,” he said.
While acknowledging ADC’s assertion that “the EFCC does not belong to the APC but to the Nigerian people,” the EFCC chair urged political groups to focus on their activities and allow the Commission to carry out its statutory mandate.
“The opposition figures the ADC is trying to whitewash know in their hearts that they have issues that necessitated their invitations by the Commission. Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption. There is no sacred cow, protected interest or partisan consideration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption,” Olukoyede said.
He urged Nigerians to ignore politically charged statements aimed at distracting from the looting of public funds, assuring that the EFCC will remain steadfast in its fight against economic and financial crimes.
By PRNigeria
