The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has stated that the agency will not bow to political pressure in investigating corruption cases.
Olukoyede said the commission is committed to a non-partisan mandate and would continue probing politically exposed persons across party lines.
“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 in a statement on Tuesday.
The EFCC chair was reacting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s claim that the agency’s summons to some opposition figures were politically motivated.
The ADC had said the summons were linked to “emergent political affiliations” rather than fresh evidence, adding that the move was aimed at intimidating key opposition leaders.
Olukoyede dismissed the allegation, describing it as “self-serving, diversionary and idle”.
He said every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated regardless of the time it was reported.
“There is no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations,” he said.
The EFCC boss added that the agency is probing figures in the ruling party and has several governors from different parties on its investigative radar.
“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.
Olukoyede said the ADC was correct in stating that the EFCC “does not belong to the APC” but to the Nigerian people.
He urged political groups to focus on their partisan activities and allow the EFCC to carry out its mandate.
He added: “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.”
Olukoyede urged Nigerians to ignore political statements aimed at heating up the polity and diverting attention from “the pillage of the national treasury”.
