The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has described as self-serving, diversionary, narrow and idle, the allegation by the opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, that the Commission embarks on politically motivated investigations to suppress opposition parties.
The ADC had claimed that it received EFCC summons for investigations noting that “those were not fresh cases arising from new evidence but new files opened in reaction to emergent political affiliations to intimidate key opposition figures”
However, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede in a reaction queried what determines “fresh cases” and old cases? insisting that every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated as there was no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations.
Olukoyede, in a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Commission, Dele Oyewale said the commission runs a non-partisan mandate and has the powers to investigate both former and serving strong ruling and opposition party governors as there is no sacred cow.
He said available records in the courts showed that several political figures of all divide were answering charges of alleged economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
He also stated that the commission is currently investigating some key figures of the ruling party owing to allegations of corrupt practices, aside many serving state governors of various political colouration who are on the investigative radar of the Commission.
He, therefore, warned the ADC and other political groups to focus on their “partisan activities and allow the Commission to carry out her mandate.”
The statement added, “Nothing will make an innocent person answer any charge from the EFCC. The “opposition figures” the ADC is trying unsuccessfully to white-wash know in their hearts that they have issues that necessitated their invitations by the Commission. The immunity against any investigation by the EFCC is accountability and probity. Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption. There is no sacred cow, protected interest or partisan consideration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption.
“The EFCC will continue to do its job and all well-meaning Nigerians are enjoined to ignore political statements meant to heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury.”
