The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned politicians and interest groups against what it described as coordinated efforts to discredit the anti-graft agency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the EFCC had uncovered plans by some politicians and their allies to launch smear campaigns aimed at weakening its operations.
According to him, individuals with vested interests in ongoing investigations and prosecutions have allegedly recruited “paid jobbers” to carry out sponsored media attacks against the Commission and its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
Oyewale said the campaign seeks to paint the EFCC as politically biased through what he described as baseless allegations, with the intention of distracting and intimidating the agency.
“The objective is to confuse the public and pressure the Commission into a timid posture, particularly to deter it from investigating opposition politicians under the guise of partisanship,” he said.
He noted that the attacks are expected to intensify as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 polls.
The EFCC spokesman warned those involved in the alleged smear efforts that their actions were being closely monitored, stressing that the Commission would not allow itself to be distracted from its mandate.
“The EFCC will not tolerate any attempt to derail its patriotic duty of promoting accountability and combating corruption in Nigeria. The Commission remains non-partisan in the discharge of its responsibilities,” Oyewale said.
He emphasised that the agency’s operations cut across party lines, noting that prominent figures in both the ruling and opposition parties are currently under investigation or facing trial.
Oyewale added that the Commission operates strictly in line with its Establishment Act and the Constitution, including respect for the presumption of innocence of defendants in court.
“The EFCC has no alliance or working relationship with any political party. These facts are clear and incontrovertible,” he stated.
He further said the Commission would not succumb to pressure or blackmail to publicly disclose the identities of politically exposed persons under investigation.
“The EFCC remains committed to the pursuit of justice without fear or favour in the execution of its mandate,” the statement concluded.
