*Says we run a non-partisan mandate
WorldStage Newsonline (Abuja)– The Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has reacted to the recent attack on the commission by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) concerning its handling of cases involving politically exposed persons from every divide.
This was made known in a release by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale.
While describing the attack as shocking and unwarranted blame game, Olukoyede said if he was condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party Governors and Ministers, he should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures.
He asserted that every objective and discerning watcher of events in the national political scene would admit that the Commission had been circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of its mandate.
Olukoyede quoted ADC as having claimed “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.”
He stated that the claims were clearly self-serving, diversionary, narrow and idle.
The EFCC boss said: “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.”
He counseled the ADC and other political groups to focus on their partisan activities and allow the Commission to carry out her mandate, insisting that nothing would make an innocent person answer any charge from the EFCC.
Olukoyede stated that the opposition figures the ADC was 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,” he declared.
He maintained that EFCC would continue to do its job and enjoined all well-meaning Nigerians to ignore political statements meant to heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury.
