EFCC warns of ‘campaigns of calumny’ by politicians targeting anti-graft agency
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm over what it describes as planned “campaigns of calumny” against the agency by politicians and groups with interests in ongoing investigations.
EFCC Uncovers ₦4.6B Fraud in Benue State Under Alia’s Govt
In a statement, the EFCC said these efforts involve a “motley crowd” of paid individuals, including politicians, academics, self-styled civil society activists, and Nigerian fugitives abroad.
The commission accused these actors of orchestrating sponsored media attacks on its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and the institution itself. It claimed the allegations of political bias were “phantom” and aimed at undermining the EFCC’s work.
The EFCC said the objective was to intimidate the agency into avoiding investigations of opposition politicians for fear of being labelled partisan.
The statement warned that such campaigns were likely to intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections as the political atmosphere heats up.
The anti-graft body put those involved “on notice”, saying their activities were under close surveillance. It stressed that it would not tolerate attempts to distract it from its “patriotic task” of improving public accountability.00p
The EFCC reaffirmed its non-partisan stance, noting that politicians from both the ruling party and opposition faced trials or investigations.
“Several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission,” the statement said.
The agency insisted it operated strictly in line with its Establishment Act, rejecting pressure to disclose details of probes into politically exposed persons and reiterating its commitment to justice “without fear or favour”.
