The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has firmly defended its operations, insisting that EFCC mandate is strictly to tackle corruption and not to persecute opposition politicians, amid what it described as a frenzy of accusations by some political actors across the country.
In a press statement issued on Monday by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity, the Commission dismissed claims of “weaponisation of the EFCC,” “erosion of EFCC’s independence,” “persecution of opposition politicians,” and “politicisation of EFCC’s operations,” describing them as deliberate misrepresentation of its statutory responsibilities.
EFCC mandate grounded in law
According to the Commission, its only “weapon” is the EFCC Establishment Act, which clearly defines the scope of its duties. The EFCC said the Act empowers it to investigate and prosecute all economic and financial crimes, without regard to political affiliation.
“The Act mandates the Commission to investigate and prosecute all economic and financial crimes. The only exception to criminal prosecution by the Commission are political officers granted constitutional immunity during their tenure,” EFCC stated.
It stressed that suspects from the ruling party, opposition parties and non-partisan backgrounds have no immunity and are equally investigated and prosecuted under the EFCC mandate, provided there is evidence of graft.
No selectivity in investigations
The Commission noted that a review of arrests and prosecutions over the last two years under its current leadership shows that influential members of the ruling party, including former governors and ministers, have been investigated alongside opposition politicians.
“The truth about the EFCC is that it is only faithful to its mandate and nothing else,” the statement said, adding that insinuations of a “discernible pattern of persecution of the opposition by the EFCC with the sole objective of weakening same for the benefit of the ruling APC” are “quite untenable.”
The EFCC argued that the EFCC mandate does not recognise political sentiment as a defence to allegations of corruption, asking pointedly “Where is persecution in asking a suspect of corrupt practice to account for his sleaze?”
Democracy, accountability and rule of law
The Commission warned that what truly threatens democracy is not the enforcement of the EFCC mandate, but attempts to intimidate or blackmail the agency into abandoning investigations against alleged corrupt individuals in the opposition.
It accused some opposition politicians of seeking to weaponise public opinion in order to secure immunity from prosecution, a move it said is alien to the Nigerian Constitution and the EFCC’s enabling law.
“The Commission won’t succumb to blackmail or be railroaded into inconclusive investigations just to be seen to be non-selective in its operations,” it said, cautioning against any amendment of its enabling Act to satisfy what it called the whims of a disgruntled section of the political class.
In conclusion, the EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to its dignity-restoring role, urging all reform-minded and patriotic Nigerians to support the EFCC mandate of combating corruption in the national interest, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious considerations.
