EFCC Warns of Smear Campaigns as Political Tension Builds Ahead of 2027
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned that it is aware of coordinated efforts aimed at discrediting the agency and its leadership, warning that such moves will not derail its anti-corruption mandate.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said intelligence available to the EFCC indicated that some politicians and interest groups linked to individuals under investigation or prosecution were sponsoring media attacks against the agency.
Oyewale disclosed that individuals he described as paid operatives had allegedly been mobilised by disgruntled actors to push negative narratives against the EFCC, particularly targeting its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
“The attack is targeting the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, and the institution with phantom allegations of political bias in the execution of the commission’s mandate.
“Their objective is to befuddle the work of the commission and, through scaremongering, intimidate the commission into a timid mode,” he said.
According to the EFCC, the strategy behind the alleged smear campaign is to discourage investigations into politically exposed persons, especially members of opposition parties, by portraying the commission as partisan.
Oyewale warned that the situation could worsen as political activities heighten in the build-up to the 2027 general election, stressing that the commission was closely monitoring those involved.
“The commission wishes to put those recruited into this ignoble enterprise on notice that their activities are under close watch.
“The EFCC will not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria. It reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities,” he said.
The spokesperson maintained that the EFCC’s operations cut across party lines, noting that political affiliation does not shield anyone from investigation or prosecution.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the commission.
“Nigerians need to appreciate the fact that the commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Commentaries about the presumption of innocence of a defendant in court are in line with the provisions of the Constitution and not intended as defence of any individual or group,” Oyewale stated.
He further dismissed claims of political alignment, insisting that the commission has no working relationship with any political party and would not succumb to pressure to publicly name politically exposed persons under investigation.
“The EFCC reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” he added.
