EFCC Frowns At Diversionary Statements From Opposition Parties

By Ayodele Oni

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has insisted that every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated and there is no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations.

Reacting to remarks by the coalition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and some opposition figures concerning handling of corruption cases, the Commission explained that it has been circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of its mandate.

“If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party Governors and Ministers,  I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” Commission’s Chairman, Ola  Olukoyede, was quoted as saying.

Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity of the EFCC, in a statement on Tuesday, maintained that remarks which greeted the arrest of the former Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal are “clearly self-serving, diversionary, narrow  and  idle.

“The African Democratic Congress, ADC’s unprovoked attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,   EFCC, concerning its handling of cases involving politically exposed persons from every divide, came as a rude shock and unwarranted blame game.

“Every objective and discerning watcher of events in the national political scene, would admit that the Commission has been circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of its mandate.

“The ADC’s claims that ‘Opposition Coalition have received EFCC summons that are clearly politically motivated. These are not fresh cases arising from new evidence, but new files opened in reaction to emergent political affiliations to intimidate key opposition figures,’  are clearly self-serving,  diversionary, narrow  and  idle.

“The question is, what determines ‘fresh cases’ and old cases? Every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated and there is no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations.

“Available records in our courts showed that several political figures of all divide are answering charges of alleged economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

“It is also public knowledge that the EFCC is busy investigating some key figures of the ruling party owing to allegations of corrupt practices.

“Besides, many serving state governors of various political colouration are on the investigative radar of the Commission.

“The Commission will not be blackmailed into making full disclosures of its discreet investigations of any state or non-state actor, no matter the provocation.

“The ADC was right to have admitted that ‘The EFCC does not belong to the APC.  It belongs to the Nigerian people. It is funded by taxpayers, not the ruling party.’  Nothing can be farther from this truth.

“The ADC and other political groups should focus on their partisan activities and allow the Commission to carry out her mandate.

“Nothing will make an innocent person answer any charge from the EFCC.   The ‘opposition figures’ the ADC is trying unsuccessfully to white-wash, know in their hearts that they have issues that necessitated their invitations by the Commission.

“The immunity against any investigation by the EFCC is accountability and probity.   Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption. There is no sacred cow, protected interest or partisan consideration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption.

“The EFCC will continue to do its job and all well-meaning Nigerians are enjoined to ignore political statements meant to heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury.”

Senator Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a former two-time Governor of Sokoto State, was detained by the EFCC on Monday, August 11, when he went to its Abuja head office on invitation, in connection with alleged money laundering to the tune of N187billion when he was in office as Governor.