EFCC to ADC: Allow us to carry out our mandate, we’ll never prosecute innocent person

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against the condemnation of the agency’s handling of corruption cases in the country.

The ADC had accused the EFCC of carrying out media trials to harass and intimidate opposition leaders on behalf of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned the recent detention of the senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal, and the investigation into the seven-month tenure of former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

The ADC described the actions as a calculated attempt to discredit opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.

Reacting via a statement on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the anti-graft agency said the ADC and other political groups in the country should focus on their activities and allow the commission to carry out its mandate.

The EFCC, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, stated that it has been circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of its mandate, noting that the commission will never prosecute an innocent person.

Oyewale added that every corruption allegation requires an investigation and “there is no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations.”

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Oyewale said: “Available records in our courts showed that several political figures of all divide are answering charges of alleged economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

“It is also public knowledge that the EFCC is busy investigating some key figures of the ruling party owing to allegations of corrupt practices.

“Besides, many serving state governors of various political colouration are on the investigative radar of the Commission.

“The Commission will not be blackmailed into making full disclosures of its discreet investigations of any state or non-state actor, no matter the provocation.

“The ADC was right to have admitted that ‘The EFCC does not belong to the APC.  It belongs to the Nigerian people. It is funded by taxpayers, not the ruling party.’ Nothing can be farther from this truth.

“The ADC and other political groups should focus on their partisan activities and allow the Commission to carry out her mandate.  Nothing will make an innocent person answer any charge from the EFCC.

“The ‘opposition figures’ the ADC is trying unsuccessfully to white-wash know in their hearts that they have issues that necessitated their invitations by the Commission. The immunity against any investigation by the EFCC is accountability and probity.

“Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption. There is no sacred cow, protected interest or partisan consideration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption.”

Oyewale, while stressing that the EFCC will continue to do its job, urged Nigerians to “ignore political statements meant to heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury.”

The Star