The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned of an alleged plan by some politicians and interest groups to discredit the agency through coordinated smear campaigns.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the commission had uncovered attempts by “disgruntled elements” to sponsor media attacks aimed at undermining its leadership and operations.
Oyewale alleged that paid agents had been recruited to push false narratives accusing the EFCC and its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, of political bias in the handling of corruption cases.
According to him, the intention behind the campaign is to distract the commission from its mandate and intimidate it into avoiding investigations, especially those involving opposition politicians, for fear of being labelled partisan.
“The objective is to confuse the public, weaken the resolve of the commission, and force it into a timid mode through scaremongering,” Oyewale said.
He warned that such attacks were likely to increase as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections, when political activities are expected to intensify.
The EFCC spokesman stressed that the commission is closely monitoring those involved in the alleged smear campaign and would not tolerate any attempt to interfere with its work.
“The EFCC will not allow itself to be distracted from its patriotic duty of promoting public accountability. We remain firmly non-political in the execution of our mandate,” he said.
Oyewale noted that the commission investigates and prosecutes corruption cases without regard to political affiliation, adding that both ruling party members and opposition figures are currently facing trials or investigations.
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“Any political actor, regardless of party, who has corruption issues has no hiding place,” he said.
He also clarified that references to the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence do not amount to a defence of any suspect but are simply in line with legal provisions.
Reiterating the EFCC’s independence, Oyewale said the commission has no alliance with any political party and would not succumb to pressure or blackmail to disclose details of ongoing investigations involving politically exposed persons.
“The EFCC remains committed to justice, without fear or favour, in the discharge of its duties,” he added.
