The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has blasted the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria for criticising it over the invasion of The SUN newspapers last week.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, the agency said the publishers were still bitter because they were forced to refund some money that they received from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

EFCC said NPAN and its leader, Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of ThisDay took sides without full details.

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The statement partly read, “Since the commission released him on bail after he was arrested and detained over the investigation of the mega sleaze in the Office of the National Security Adviser under Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), Mr. Obaigbena has not missed any opportunity to denigrate the EFCC and its leadership.

“He has deployed his media platforms as the official organ for all the anti-establishment forces baying for the blood of Magu and the EFCC.

“If the EFCC has committed any sin against Obaigbena and some members of NPAN, it was in carrying out its statutory mandate of fighting corruption and ensuring that impunity was checked. It is no secret that some NPAN members have yet to forgive the commission for the money recovered from them in the course of the ONSA investigation.”

The agency sais it only went to verify the current status of assets subject to subsisting interim order.

It denied allegations that its operatives stormed The Sun Newspapers over a story against Ibrahim Magu and his wife.

[Read Also: EFCC RAIDS THE SUN NEWSPAPERS OFFICE]

The statement added, “Nigeria is bigger than any individual and NPAN must be mindful not to allow members to hijack its platform to pursue personal interests.

“The commission is in no way averse to criticisms but such must be constructive and not meant to serve the selfish interests of corrupt elements in our society.”