Ola Olukoyede, the executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has rejected allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the agency is targeting opposition figures for political reasons.
In a statement on Tuesday, Olukoyede said the EFCC has consistently investigated politically exposed persons from across party lines, including former and serving governors and ministers in the ruling party.
He argued it was unjust to accuse the agency of bias when opposition figures are also under probe.
“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,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC chairman described the ADC’s criticism as “a rude shock” and “an unwarranted blame game”, stressing that the Commission has been circumspect and dispassionate in executing its mandate.
The ADC had claimed that the summons recently issued to members of the opposition coalition was “politically motivated”, alleging that the cases were old matters reopened to intimidate political opponents.
Olukoyede dismissed the claims as “self-serving, diversionary, narrow and idle”, insisting that every corruption allegation deserves investigation regardless of when it occurred.
“There is no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations,” he said, adding that court records show several political figures from different parties are on trial for alleged economic and financial crimes, while others from the ruling party remain under active investigation.
He also revealed that many serving governors of varying political affiliations are on the EFCC’s investigative radar but stressed the Commission would not bow to pressure to reveal details of ongoing probes.
Olukoyede agreed with the ADC’s assertion that the EFCC belongs to the Nigerian people and is funded by taxpayers, but added: “Nothing can be farther from this truth,” reiterating that the agency’s operations remain independent of partisan influence.
