The claim by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, is going after opposition leaders and blind to financial atrocities of members of the ruling All Progressives Congress has drawn reaction from the anti-graft agency.
ADC alleged this in response to the ongoing investigation and detention of former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, for suspicious withdrawal N189bn while in office by the EFCC.
“If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party Governors and Ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede said in a statement credited to him.
Another statement from the agency also read: “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.
“The ADC and other political groups should focus on their partisan activities and allow the Commission to carry out her mandate. Nothing will make an innocent person answer any charge from the EFCC.
“The “opposition figures” the ADC is 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.”
It continued: “EFCC will continue to do its job and all well-meaning Nigerians are enjoined to ignore political statements meant to heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury.”
