Vice Chairman of the South-East Constitution Review Committee, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to make public the results of investigations where no evidence of wrongdoing is found, to avoid the perception that “all politicians are thieves.”
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, October 22, Nwaebonyi said transparency on high-profile cases would help Nigerians distinguish between corrupt individuals and leaders genuinely committed to public service.
“Most of these high-profile cases that have no prima facie case against such individuals should be made public,” he said.
“That way, Nigerians will not say all politicians are thieves, because not all politicians are thieves. We still have good leaders who are out to set things right for the development of this country.”
The senator praised the EFCC for what he described as its remarkable transformation in recent years, noting that the commission has moved from “media trial theatrics” to securing real convictions.
“You remember that before now, EFCC was doing more of media trials without achieving much results,” he said. “But you can see within these two years plus, EFCC has secured a lot of convictions, showing that they are working. I believe that if they continue in this way, very soon corruption will be completely eradicated in our public system.”
According to him, the agency’s new approach to investigation and prosecution has helped rebuild public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption framework.
EFCC Enjoys a Level of Independence
Nwaebonyi also commended the commission’s current leadership for maintaining operational independence while adhering to due process.
“Law is a game governed by rules and facts,” he said. “If someone petitions that a politician has embezzled a certain amount, it’s up to the EFCC to investigate and establish whether the allegation is true or not. EFCC is doing a good job, and we are not dictating to them. They are a bit independent in their investigation.”
He advised the agency to continue acting within the law and to keep Nigerians regularly informed about ongoing investigations, convictions, and dismissals of baseless petitions.
The lawmaker stressed that consistent public updates on both successful and inconclusive cases would strengthen the EFCC’s credibility and reduce political tension.
“It’s important that the EFCC lets Nigerians know when investigations clear individuals of wrongdoing,” he added. “That transparency will show fairness and protect the integrity of the process.”
Nwaebonyi maintained that such openness would help prevent blanket accusations against political leaders and enhance the image of public institutions.
His comments came just days after the Presidency commended the EFCC for what it described as its “outstanding transformation and institutional maturity.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, made the remarks on October 16, 2025, during a visit to present the EFCC’s Performance Charter to its Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja.
“You should all be proud of yourselves, seeing your trajectory,” Bala Usman said.
“Every day you visit the EFCC, you see how it has improved. I’m not sure there’s any organisation that has grown the way the EFCC has grown from 2000 to date.”
She praised the commission’s staff for their dedication and urged them to sustain reforms that have repositioned the EFCC as a model anti-graft agency in Africa.
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