Is the EFCC an anti-corruption institution or political tool of oppression?

EFCC

When the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was established by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003, it was set up as an institution to fight corruption in the country and keep it at the barest minimum. However, the effectiveness of EFCC as an anti-corruption institution has been a major source of controversy over the years as many have seen it as a political tool by the party in power to humiliate its perceived opponents.

Some Nigerians have arrived at this conclusion because of the enduring trend of the anti-graft agency of refusing to prosecute proven acts of corruption by members of the ruling party. The Muhammadu Buhari presidency has come under attack for using the EFCC to “persecute” members of the opposition PDP while the APC has a field day with corruption. The government has denied this but it seems the truth can’t be hidden for long and so it was on Sunday July 15, 2018.

While the results of the Ekiti state gubernatorial “election” was trending on social media, the EFCC chose that rather auspicious moment to confirm that truly its accusers were not making empty noises. Like a man lost in ecstasy, the anti-corruption agency posted a tweet which indirectly mocked the Ekiti state Governor, Ayodele Fayose and stated its readiness to prosecute him immediately his immunity is over. The distasteful tweet generated a massive backlash for the agency and it was forced to pull it down after some minutes. However, the deed had been done. The EFCC through that tweet confirmed the recurrent accusations of being a political tool by the party in power to deal with its opponent. The federal government has been accused of embarking on a selective anti-corruption war which it has repeatedly denied but the EFCC has shown its selective nature through its choice of prosecution.

At the moment, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal is walking freely and holding meetings with the president. A petition submitted against the incumbent National Chairman of the APC Adams Oshiomhole is yet to be acted upon by the presidency.

The integrity of the EFCC has been tainted by its selective prosecution and that distasteful tweet says it all.

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