The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm over what it described as planned campaigns of calumny by politicians and groups with vested interests in suspects currently under investigation or facing prosecution by the Commission.
In a statement on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency alleged that a network of paid agents—including politicians, academics, self-styled civil society activists and some Nigerian fugitives in the diaspora—has been mobilised to orchestrate coordinated media attacks against the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, and the Commission itself.
According to the EFCC, the sponsors of the alleged smear campaign are pushing what it termed “phantom allegations” of political bias in an attempt to undermine the Commission’s mandate and intimidate it into avoiding investigations involving opposition politicians for fear of being branded partisan.
The Commission warned that the campaign is expected to intensify as the political environment becomes more charged in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.
“The EFCC wishes to put those recruited into this ignoble enterprise on notice that their activities are under close watch,” the statement said, stressing that the agency would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from its constitutional responsibility of promoting public accountability.
Reaffirming its non-partisan posture, the EFCC stated that its records clearly show that individuals across both the ruling and opposition parties are either under investigation or currently standing trial, insisting that no political actor with “corruption baggage” is beyond its operational reach.
The Commission also emphasised that its actions are guided strictly by its Establishment Act and the Constitution, noting that references to the presumption of innocence are legal requirements and should not be misconstrued as a defence of any individual or group.
It further clarified that it has no alliance or working relationship with any political party and dismissed claims suggesting otherwise as unfounded.
The EFCC maintained that it would not succumb to pressure or blackmail to publicly disclose the names of politically exposed persons under investigation, reiterating its commitment to the rule of law.
“The Commission remains resolute in the pursuit of justice, without fear or favour, in the discharge of its mandate,” the statement concluded.
