Following accusations that the agency targets opposition figures, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has dismissed the allegation.
He insisted that its investigations are carried out without political considerations.
Olukoyede who stated this on Sunday, also addressed criticisms surrounding the EFCC’s prosecution of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
According to the EFCC boss, the case against Malami is neither personal nor politically motivated, emphasising that the investigation began long before he assumed office.
Olukoyede informed that the investigation into Malami predated his tenure as EFCC chairman, noting that he only inherited the case file.
The EFCC boss disclosed that Malami had been under investigation for nearly two and a half years, stating that the EFCC proceeded cautiously to ensure the case was solid before going to court.
Giving further insights, Olukoyede said the anti-graft agency recently arraigned Malami, his wife and son on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
Recall that on January 7, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the defendants bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties each.
The judge also ordered that the sureties must own landed property in Abuja districts including Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarinpa, and directed the defendants to deposit their travel documents with the court.
Responding to allegations of targeting opposition figures, Olukoyede said the EFCC’s mandate requires it not only to enforce the law but to be seen as doing so fairly, adding that allegations of bias in the Malami case were unfounded.
EFCC Boss Denies Targeting Opposition Figures in Fight Against Corruption
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