Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has firmly dismissed allegations that the anti-graft agency is being used as a political tool to target opposition figures, asserting that the EFCC remains committed to impartiality in its fight against corruption.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Olukoyede addressed concerns over the agency’s perceived political bias, especially in light of recent defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If someone is found to have engaged in corruption or financial crimes, it is our duty to investigate. Where we establish sufficient grounds for prosecution, we proceed to trial. I have operated strictly within the bounds of this mandate, and I believe Nigerians can attest to that,” Olukoyede stated.
He emphasised that the EFCC’s operations are guided solely by evidence of wrongdoing, irrespective of political affiliations.
“If Nigerians assess our work fairly, they will recognise that, based on the statistics of our investigations and prosecutions, particularly in high-profile cases, a notable number of individuals from the ruling party, the APC, are among those we have pursued. We must be judged fairly. It is not just members, but also prominent figures within the ruling party who have been investigated and charged,” he added.
Olukoyede further clarified that the decision of individuals under investigation to align themselves with a political party does not deter the EFCC from fulfilling its responsibilities.
“It would be both unfair and unjust to turn a blind eye to individuals simply because they are not affiliated with the ruling party. Our responsibility is to ensure that justice is served, regardless of political leanings,” he explained.
These remarks come amid speculations that the recent defections of Oborevwori and Okowa to the APC were motivated by attempts to evade EFCC scrutiny. Notably, Okowa is reportedly under investigation for alleged mismanagement of ₦1.3 trillion during his tenure as governor.
However, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oborevwori, Sir Festus Ahon, has dismissed such claims, stating that the defections were in the interest of aligning Delta State with the federal government for developmental purposes.
Olukoyede reiterated the EFCC’s firm stance, stressing that anyone found guilty of corruption, whether from the APC, the PDP, or any other political group, will face the consequences of their actions.
“If we discover that you have stolen money, you must answer, regardless of whether you belong to the APC, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, or SDP. If a member of the APC has stolen money, they must face the consequences. If a member of the PDP has committed theft, they too will be held accountable,” he warned.
Addressing allegations that President Bola Tinubu is using the EFCC to silence opposition voices, Olukoyede described such accusations as attempts to distract the President from his responsibilities.
“I think Nigerians should appreciate the kind of President we have at this time, and I am being serious about it. It is not because I am occupying this position,” he said.
“Anyone who would be sincere, particularly those who work with Mr. President, those who are members of the federal executive council, those who are heading agencies, ministries and departments, any time you see Mr. President, the body language is ‘look, what have you done?’ ‘How much have you recovered?’”
He stressed that Tinubu does not interfere in EFCC operations, adding, “The man doesn’t have time for this issue, people are just trying to distract the government, they are just trying to distract the working president. Those who are close to him will tell you he doesn’t want to hear anything apart from the performance.”
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