The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described as “self-serving and diversionary” claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that its investigations into opposition figures are politically motivated.
In a statement by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency said it was “shocked” by the ADC’s accusation that the EFCC was reopening old cases to intimidate political opponents. The Commission insisted that corruption cases are not bound by time limits, stressing that “fraud is fraud” regardless of when it is discovered.
“The ADC’s claims are clearly narrow and idle. Every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated and there is no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations,” the statement read.
The EFCC maintained that its operations cut across political divides, citing ongoing cases against politicians from both ruling and opposition parties, as well as investigations into several serving governors. The Commission added that it would not be blackmailed into revealing details of ongoing probes.
While noting the ADC’s admission that the EFCC “does not belong to the APC” but to the Nigerian people, the agency urged political actors to focus on their activities and allow it to carry out its mandate without interference.
“The ‘opposition figures’ the ADC seeks to defend know they have issues that necessitated their invitations by the Commission,” Oyewale said, adding that accountability and probity are the only immunity against EFCC investigations.
The statement concluded by urging Nigerians to disregard politically-charged remarks intended to “heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury.”
