The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come under scrutiny for its handling of high-profile cases, with allegations of selective prosecution and political bias. Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has called for the resignation of EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, citing the agency’s alleged failure to uphold its constitutional responsibilities.
According to Frank, the EFCC has abandoned its independent stance and is now being used as a tool for the ruling APC. He claims that the commission has engaged in selective enforcement, bringing embarrassment and discredit to the agency. Frank also alleges that the EFCC has become involved in facilitating political negotiations, rather than focusing on prosecuting financial crimes.
Frank referenced several high-profile cases to support his claims, including that of former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. He stated that Okowa was aggressively investigated while in the opposition, but the case lost momentum after he reportedly met with EFCC officials and defected to the APC. Similarly, Frank mentioned former governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, who were invited by the EFCC but faced no further public scrutiny after undisclosed discussions.
The EFCC has been accused of failing to apply the same level of scrutiny to all cases, with Frank challenging the agency to show transparency in its handling of ongoing cases involving former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele, and Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance Yakubu Adamu, among others.
Furthermore, Frank alleged that individuals accused of looting public funds are being rewarded with appointments under the current administration, with seized assets quietly returned to suspects who have aligned themselves with the ruling party. This, he claims, is evidence of the EFCC’s failure to act as a prosecuting authority and instead operating as a mediator.
The allegations against the EFCC have raised concerns about the agency’s independence and its ability to effectively combat financial crimes. As the EFCC faces scrutiny, it remains to be seen how the agency will respond to these claims and whether it will take steps to address the perceived bias and lack of transparency in its operations. The development has significant implications for the fight against corruption in the country and the credibility of the EFCC as a key anti-graft agency.
