The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm over what it described as a coordinated campaign of calumny being planned by politicians and vested interests seeking to derail its anti-corruption mandate.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, the Commission revealed that a motley crowd of paid jobbers—including politicians, academics, self-styled civil society activists and Nigerian fugitives in the diaspora—has allegedly been mobilised to launch sponsored media attacks against the EFCC and its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
According to the Commission, the aim of the smear campaign is to peddle phantom allegations of political bias, confuse the public, and intimidate the EFCC into abandoning investigations—especially against opposition politicians—as the political climate heats up ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The objective is to befuddle the works of the Commission and, through scaremongering, force it into a timid posture,” the EFCC warned, adding that such efforts are designed to weaken the fight against corruption at a critical national moment.
The anti-graft agency placed those involved in the alleged plot on notice, stressing that their activities are under close watch and that the Commission will not tolerate any distraction from what it called its patriotic duty of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
Reaffirming its non-partisan stance, the EFCC said corruption knows no party colours, noting that prominent figures from both the ruling party and the opposition are currently under investigation or facing trial.
The Commission also clarified that respect for the presumption of innocence of defendants is a constitutional obligation—not a defence of any individual—and reiterated that it has no alliance with any political party.
In a final warning, the EFCC declared it would not succumb to pressure or blackmail to publicly name politically exposed persons under investigation, insisting it remains committed to justice without fear or favour.
As political tensions rise, the message from the EFCC is clear: the anti-graft war is not for sale—and there will be no hiding place for corruption.
