Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has stated that its invitation and investigation of politically exposed persons is not partisan, and it has a responsibility and mandate to deliver.
The unprovoked attack on the agency is uncalled for and a rude shock. The agency says on it X handle;
‘The African Democratic Congress’s unprovoked attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, concerning its handling of cases involving politically exposed persons from every sector, came as a rude shock and an unwarranted blame game’.
‘Every objective and discerning watcher of events in the national political scene would admit that the Commission has been circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of its mandate’.
‘The ADC’s claims that “Opposition Coalition has received EFCC summons that are clearly politically motivated. These are not fresh cases arising from new evidence but new files opened in reaction to emergent political affiliations to intimidate key opposition figures., are clearly self-serving, diversionary, narrow, and idle. The question is, what determines “fresh cases” and old cases? Every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated and there is no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations.
‘Available records in our courts showed that several political figures of all divide are answering charges of alleged economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption. It is also public knowledge that the EFCC is busy investigating some key figures of the ruling party owing to allegations of corrupt practices. Besides, many serving state governors of various political colourations are on the investigative radar of the Commission. 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.
‘The ADC was right to have admitted that “The EFCC does not belong to the APC. It belongs to the Nigerian people. Taxpayers, not the ruling party fund it.” Nothing can be farther from this truth.
‘The ADC and other political groups should focus on their partisan activities and allow the Commission to carry out its mandate. Nothing will make an innocent person answer any charge from the EFCC. The “opposition figures” the ADC is trying unsuccessfully to whitewash 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.
