EFCC: Our Fight Is Against Corruption, Not Opposition

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed claims that it is being weaponised against opposition politicians, insisting that its operations are guided strictly by law and its core mandate to combat corruption in Nigeria.

In a statement responding to recent criticisms from some political actors, the anti-graft agency described allegations of “weaponisation of the EFCC”, “erosion of its independence”, “persecution of opposition politicians” and “politicisation of its operations” as deliberate attempts to misrepresent its work and undermine ongoing investigations.

According to the Commission, its only “weapon” is the EFCC Establishment Act, which spells out its powers and responsibilities. That law, the agency stressed, mandates it to investigate and prosecute all forms of economic and financial crimes. The only category of public officials exempt from criminal prosecution while in office are those enjoying constitutional immunity, such as certain political office holders. Outside that narrow constitutional protection, the EFCC maintains that suspects from the ruling party, the opposition and non-partisan circles are all subject to investigation and prosecution.

The Commission pointed to its record under the current leadership over the last two years, noting that prominent figures in the ruling party—including former governors, ministers and other influential actors—have been arrested and charged, alongside opposition politicians and private individuals. This, it argued, is evidence that its work is not driven by partisan considerations.

“The truth about the EFCC is that it is only faithful to its mandate and nothing else,” the statement read. “That mandate is about tackling corruption, not any imaginary adversary or political motive.”

The EFCC described as untenable the claim by some opposition figures that there is “a discernible pattern of persecution of the opposition by the EFCC with the sole objective of weakening same for the benefit of the ruling APC.” It posed a blunt question: where is persecution in asking a public officer or any suspect to account for alleged corrupt practices?

ADVERTISEMENT

The agency further argued that offences such as stealing, embezzlement of public funds, contract fraud and money laundering cannot be excused on the basis of political alignment. “Corruption has no gender, religion, tribe, political party or other extraneous alignment,” the Commission maintained, adding that “selective outrage cannot be a defence against criminal investigation for graft.”

The EFCC challenged its critics to address the substance of the cases rather than resort to blanket accusations of bias. “The crucial question is: are opposition politicians being investigated or prosecuted by the Commission wrongly accused?” it asked.

What truly endangers Nigeria’s democracy, the Commission warned, is not the EFCC carrying out its lawful duties, but attempts to intimidate or blackmail it into abandoning investigations simply because suspects belong to the opposition. According to the agency, some of the loudest attacks are in fact aimed at creating a de facto immunity for politicians who move into opposition and then seek to shield themselves from accountability by framing every probe as political persecution.

“This gambit is alien to the Nigerian constitution and to the EFCC Establishment Act,” the statement noted, stressing that both the constitution and the enabling law compel the Commission to act wherever there is credible evidence of graft, irrespective of the position or political leaning of the accused.

The EFCC also rejected calls from some quarters for amendments to its enabling Act that would restrict its powers in ways that might favour a section of the political class. Such moves, it cautioned, “call for circumspection” and are unlikely to serve the national interest if they weaken the fight against corruption.

Reiterating its resolve, the Commission stated that it “won’t succumb to blackmail or be railroaded into inconclusive investigations just to be seen to be non-selective” in its operations. It appealed to Nigerians to see through what it described as a self-serving narrative by those under investigation.

In its closing appeal, the EFCC urged all “well-meaning, reform-minded and patriotic Nigerians” to support its “dignity-restoring mandate” of sanitising the public space, recovering stolen assets and holding all suspects—regardless of party or status—accountable under the law.

“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement concluded.