The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised a red alert over an orchestrated “campaign of calumny” aimed at undermining its leadership and blackmailing the agency into a “timid mode.”
In a statement on Wednesday, the Commission revealed that a “motley crowd of paid jobbers”—including disgruntled politicians, academics, and certain Nigerian fugitives in the diaspora—have been recruited to launch sponsored media attacks against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC identified a pattern of “phantom allegations” claiming political bias in its investigations.
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According to the anti-graft agency, these elements are attempting to create a narrative of partisanship to intimidate the Commission from probing opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The objective is to befuddle the works of the Commission and, through scaremongering, intimidate the Commission into a timid mode, where it will be afraid to investigate opposition politicians for fear of being labelled as partisan,” said EFCC.
Reiterating its non-political stance, the EFCC clarified that its “operational radar” does not distinguish between ruling party members and the opposition.
To back this claim, the Commission noted that several prominent members of both the ruling and opposition parties are currently facing trial.
Multiple political actors with “corruption baggage” are under active investigation regardless of their affiliation.
The agency maintained that its adherence to the “presumption of innocence” for defendants in court is a constitutional requirement, not a defence of any individual.
The Commission placed those involved in this “ignoble enterprise” on notice, stating that their activities are being closely monitored. It vowed not to be pressured into making premature public disclosures of “politically exposed persons” (PEPs) currently under the lens.
“The EFCC will not be pressured or blackmailed into making public disclosures… the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour,” the agency affirmed.
As Nigeria enters 2026, the political atmosphere has become increasingly charged.
With the 2027 elections appearing on the horizon and lawmakers even proposing electoral reforms that could move certain timelines to late 2026, the EFCC anticipates that these smear campaigns will only intensify.
The Commission urged patriotic Nigerians to see through the “mischievous” attacks and support its mission to improve public accountability and eradicate economic crimes.
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