Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has denied allegations by opposition politicians that it is selectively targeting them.
Gatekeepers News reports that the anti-graft agency clarified that its operations are guided strictly by law and not political considerations.
EFCC was responding to criticisms from opposition parties, including African Democratic Congress, which earlier accused the commission of being used by the federal government to intimidate and discredit political rivals.
ADC had cited the detention of former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and an EFCC request for records linked to the brief tenure of former Imo State governor Emeka Ihedioha as evidence of political bias.
Similar claims were also raised by former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (AGF), who described his arrest and detention over alleged corruption as a witch-hunt.
In a statement issued on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale dismissed the accusations as a deliberate misrepresentation of the commission’s mandate, stressing that the agency remains independent and professional in the discharge of its duties.
Oyewale said the EFCC’s actions are anchored on its Establishment Act, which empowers it to investigate and prosecute economic and financial crimes regardless of political affiliation. According to him, membership of the ruling party or opposition does not confer immunity from investigation.
The statement added, “The Commission’s weapon is its Establishment Act which provides the ground norm of its activities. The Act mandates the Commission to investigate and prosecute all economic and financial crimes.”
He added that the only individuals shielded from prosecution are sitting political office holders protected by constitutional immunity, noting that once such protection expires, investigations can proceed.
The EFCC spokesman also highlighted cases from the past two years in which prominent members of the ruling party, including former Governors and ministers, have been investigated or prosecuted alongside opposition figures, countering claims of selective enforcement.
Oyewale said, “Suspects of corrupt practices from the ruling party, opposition party and non-partisan actors have no immunity and are being equally investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC.”
He argued that democracy is not threatened by anti-corruption investigations but by attempts to pressure the commission into abandoning probes for political reasons.
The spokesman said, “Where is persecution in asking a suspect of corrupt practice to account for his sleaze? He added that offences such as embezzlement, money laundering and contract fraud cannot be excused on the basis of political alignment.
He said, “Corruption has no gender, religion, tribe, political party or other extraneous alignment. Selective outrage cannot be a defence against criminal investigation for graft.”
Oyewale maintained that the critical issue is whether investigations are being conducted unlawfully, not whether those being probed belong to the opposition, warning that intimidation or blackmail aimed at halting investigations poses a greater danger to democratic accountability than the EFCC’s enforcement actions.
