The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised concerns over what it described as a coordinated attempt by some politicians and interest groups to discredit the anti-graft agency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the commission had uncovered plans by individuals with vested interests in ongoing investigations and prosecutions to sponsor media attacks against the agency.
Oyewale said, some disgruntled elements have allegedly recruited paid agents to launch smear campaigns aimed at portraying the EFCC and its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, as politically biased.
“The attacks are targeting the chairman and the commission with baseless allegations of political partisanship in the discharge of our duties,” Oyewale said.
He explained that the goal of such campaigns is to distract the commission from its work and intimidate it into backing away from investigations, particularly those involving opposition politicians.
“The intention is to create fear and scaremongering, so that the commission becomes hesitant to investigate certain individuals for fear of being labelled partisan,” he added.
Oyewale warned that such activities were likely to intensify as political activities increase in the run-up to the 2027 elections, but stressed that the EFCC would not be deterred.
“The commission wishes to put those involved in this ignoble venture on notice that their actions are being closely monitored,” he said.
He reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to its constitutional role, stating that the agency would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from its mandate of promoting transparency and accountability in public life.
“The EFCC remains non-political in all its operations and will not be swayed by intimidation or blackmail,” Oyewale stated.
He further noted that no politician, whether in the ruling party or the opposition, is beyond the reach of the commission if corruption allegations are involved.
“As it stands, prominent members of both the ruling and opposition parties are either under investigation or facing trial before the courts,” he said.
Oyewale urged Nigerians to understand that the commission operates strictly in line with its Establishment Act and the provisions of the Constitution, including respect for the presumption of innocence of defendants.
He also dismissed claims that the EFCC has ties with any political party, insisting that the agency has no alliances or affiliations whatsoever.
The spokesperson added that the commission would not succumb to pressure to make premature public disclosures about politically exposed persons under investigation.
“The EFCC remains committed to justice, without fear or favour, in the execution of its mandate,” he concluded.
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