Nigeria’s main anti-corruption body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says it has uncovered a plot by “disgruntled” politicians to launch a media campaign aimed at discrediting its leadership.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, the agency claimed that a “motley crowd” of paid activists, academics, and fugitives in the diaspora had been recruited to attack its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC believes the objective is to intimidate the commission into a “timid mode” where it becomes afraid to investigate high-profile figures for fear of being labelled partisan.
‘No hiding place’
The warning comes at a time of heightened political tension in Nigeria. Several prominent figures, including a former attorney general and former state governors, have recently faced arrest or asset seizures.
The EFCC’s key claims include:
- Political Bias: The agency denied allegations of being a “political tool,” insisting that members of both the ruling party and the opposition are currently under investigation.
- Intimidation Tactics: It accused critics of using “scaremongering” to protect suspects with “corruption baggage.”
- 2027 Ambitions: The commission noted that these attacks are likely to intensify as politicians begin positioning themselves for the 2027 general election.
“Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor… has no hiding place from the operational radar of the Commission,” the statement read.
A sensitive climate
The EFCC has often found itself at the centre of Nigeria’s political storms. While its supporters praise it for taking on “untouchable” elites, critics frequently accuse it of selective justice—claims the agency dismisses as “phantom allegations.”
The commission reiterated that it would not be “pressured or blackmailed” into making premature public disclosures about the politically exposed persons currently under its lens.
Why it matters
The independence of the EFCC is seen by international donors and investors as a litmus test for Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law. Any perception that the agency is being successfully intimidated could damage the country’s efforts to clean up its financial reputation and exit the international “grey list” of countries under increased monitoring for money laundering.
The agency concluded by warning those involved in the alleged smear campaign that their activities are under “close watch.”
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