The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) as an Agency, is saddled with the responsibility to investigate economic crimes, recover public funds, and enforce accountability without political bias through legal procedures. The EFCC was set up to prosecute corruption, not to persecute people or governments. Lately, that line appears to be blurring. The Agency is perceived to be carrying out the dictates of a (some) masked pay master (s) and it is urgently time for the Presidency to restore sanity to the agency.
* 1. The Osun State Account Freeze
Reports emerged that accounts linked to the Osun State Government were frozen by the EFCC. The stated reason was an ongoing investigation, but no charges were filed and the freeze crippled state finances for salaries and projects. The issue was only resolved after intervention at the federal level, especially by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. Using financial blockades against a sub-national government without due process sets a dangerous precedent and punishes citizens, not just officials.
* 2. The Continuous Case of Yahaya Bello
The long-running case involving former Kogi State Governor, HE Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has also raised questions about EFCC’s strategy. Years of media trials, siege-like operations, and charges filed and re-filed without conclusion make the process look more like harassment than prosecution. Even where there are legitimate questions to answer, justice must be seen to be swift, lawful, and not selective. Prolonged cases without trial weaken both the case and the institution. For a man as Yahaya Bello who served the people of the Confluence State diligently for 8 years, deserves an applause after his meritorious service to the State not consistent court cases while he’s supposed to be taking his rest.
The Need for Presidential Intervention
The EFCC reports to the Presidency and is funded by taxpayers. Nigerians expect it to be independent, but also accountable and professional. What we need now is urgent reform: clear rules of engagement, respect for court processes, and an end to actions that look politically motivated. The Presidency must set the tone — that the EFCC will investigate and prosecute based on evidence, not headlines, and that no state or individual will be targeted outside the law.
An anti-corruption agency can only succeed when it has credibility. Right now, the EFCC risks losing that. It must go back to its core mandate: gather evidence, charge to court, and let the judiciary decide. That is prosecuting. Anything else is persecution, and Nigeria cannot afford it.
SIGNED:
CHIEF RICHARD ASAJE,
Founder/Nat’l Coordinator,
Like Minds Alliance Pressure Group
25th Aug. 2026
