EFCC has hit back at ADC over political bias and opposition party leaders witchhunting allegations.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the agency is being used to target opposition politicians, describing the claims as “self-serving, diversionary, and unwarranted.”
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, the EFCC insisted that it operates a non-partisan anti-corruption mandate and will not be swayed by political pressure or blackmail to drop investigations against individuals suspected of financial crimes.
The ADC had accused the government of weaponising the EFCC to intimidate opposition leaders, citing the overnight detention of former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and the Commission’s recent request for information on the seven-month tenure of former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha.
Responding, the EFCC said it was “a rude shock” that the ADC would attack the agency over its handling of cases involving politically exposed persons from across the political spectrum.
“Every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated and there is no constraint of time or season in criminal investigations,” the statement read. “Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption. There is no sacred cow, protected interest, or partisan consideration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption.”
The Commission further noted that it is currently probing members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as serving governors from different political parties. It stressed that the only immunity against EFCC prosecution is “accountability and probity.”
Urging the ADC to focus on its partisan activities rather than interfere with ongoing investigations, the EFCC warned that politically charged statements only serve to “heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury.”