Public affairs commentator and rights activist, Mahdi Shehu, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its recent declaration of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, as wanted.
Naijaonpoint reports that Shehu described the EFCC’s move as “contradictory, self-indicting, and politically motivated.”
In a post on his verified 𝕏 handle on Tuesday, he accused the anti-graft agency of exhibiting double standards and selective justice, insisting that the EFCC often ignores bigger corruption cases involving powerful politicians and top government officials.
Shehu recalled that early reports about Sylva’s case were inconsistent, first linking him to a “supposed coup plot,” an allegation he said was denied yet “confirmed through multiple contradictions” from various government sources.
He added that the narrative later shifted to an allegation of $14 million fraud, which he described as “a weak cover-up for a politically motivated chase.”
“From EFCC’s grandstanding and their desperation over the Sylva issue, it is clear that the $14 million is not the true reason for declaring him wanted,” Shehu said.
The activist alleged that the EFCC has consistently turned a blind eye to weightier corruption cases involving serving ministers and lawmakers.
“They have looked away from investigations relating to some current serving ministers and lawmakers whose alleged theft runs into trillions, making Timipre Sylva’s case look laughable and even qualifying him as a ‘saint among thieves,’” he wrote.
‘EFCC Is Dancing Naked’
Shehu accused the EFCC of chasing “minor cases” while ignoring major international bribery scandals.
“EFCC is dancing naked for chasing Timipre when they are still unable to prosecute all those Nigerians involved in the shameful Siemens multi-billion dollar bribery scandal even after Siemens admitted guilt and was convicted abroad,” he said.
He also queried the agency’s failure to act on key findings from the Senator Ned Nwoko-led investigative committee on crude oil sales and the Senate Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Senator Wadada, which reportedly queried the NNPCL over the whereabouts of ₦600 trillion from crude oil sales between 2017 and the date.
Shehu said the EFCC has ignored other major revelations, including details from Mr Obaze’s report on alleged multi-trillion naira fraud at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
He alleged that while former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele is being “selectively prosecuted,” his alleged accomplices, both in and out of power, are busy enjoying their loots because they are the anointed ‘big boys and big girls.’”
Shehu warned that the commission’s continued indulgence in selective prosecution and political interference could result in its eventual collapse.
“EFCC’s looking away from high-profile crimes and pretending them away for political and other selfish reasons will continue to be self-indicting, which will one day compel a courageous Nigerian leader to SCRAP the EFCC forever — which will be celebrated as a good riddance to darkness,” he said.
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