warning from EFCC to politicians against discrediting anti-graft agency (2027)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned of an orchestrated smear campaign allegedly being planned by certain politicians and interest groups linked to individuals under investigation or prosecution by the commission.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the campaign is being driven by disgruntled elements who have reportedly engaged paid agents to carry out coordinated media attacks.

Oyewale stated that the campaign is aimed at discrediting the EFCC and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, through what he described as baseless allegations of political bias in the commission’s operations.

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Their objective is to befuddle the work of the commission and, through scaremongering, intimidate the commission into a timid mode,” he said.

The EFCC spokesman said the essence was to make the commission afraid of investigating opposition politicians for fear of being labelled partisan.

He said the campaign was likely to intensify as the political space becomes charged in the months leading to the 2027 general election.

“The commission wishes to put those recruited into this ignoble enterprise on notice that their activities are under close watch.

“The EFCC will not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria. It reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities,” he said.

Oyewale said any political actor, whether in the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the commission.

“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the commission.

“Nigerians need to appreciate the fact that the commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.

“Commentaries about the presumption of innocence of a defendant in court are in line with the provisions of the Constitution and not intended as defence of any individual or group,” he said.

He said the commission had no alliance or working relationship with any political party, noting that all these facts were unassailable.