The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has raised the alarm over planned campaigns of calumny by politicians and vested-interest groups targeting the agency and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Commission alleged that a network of politicians, academics, self-styled civil society activists, and some Nigerian fugitives abroad have been recruited to orchestrate media attacks aimed at undermining the EFCC’s credibility.
According to the statement, the attacks are intended to intimidate the agency and discourage investigations into opposition politicians, particularly as the country heads toward the 2027 general elections.
“Their objective is to befuddle the work of the Commission and, through scaremongering, intimidate it into a timid mode, where it will be afraid to investigate opposition politicians for fear of being labelled as partisan,” the statement read.
The EFCC emphasized that it remains non-partisan in its operations and that corruption allegations will be pursued against any political actor, whether in the ruling party or the opposition, without fear or favour.
Several prominent members of both the ruling and opposition parties are reportedly already under investigation or facing trial.
The Commission also reiterated that public commentary on the presumption of innocence of defendants aligns with constitutional provisions and does not amount to defending any individual or political group.
The EFCC concluded by warning that attempts to pressure or blackmail it into disclosing politically exposed persons under investigation would not be tolerated.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to justice and accountability, stating that its mandate will continue to be executed “without fear or favour.”
