By Ado Adeboye

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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to fighting corruption without bias, stressing that no politician is above the law.

He emphasised that all individuals, regardless of their political affiliation, will be held accountable for any financial crimes they commit.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television, Olukoyede addressed concerns surrounding the EFCC’s perceived political bias, stating that the Commission operates strictly within its statutory mandate to investigate and prosecute those found guilty of corruption.

He made it clear that the EFCC’s actions are guided solely by evidence, and not by any political considerations.

Olukayode said:“If someone is found to have engaged in corruption or financial crimes, it is our duty to investigate. Where we establish sufficient grounds for prosecution, we proceed to trial. I have operated strictly within the bounds of this mandate, and I believe Nigerians can attest to that,” Olukoyede remarked.

While acknowledging that some critics may view the EFCC’s actions through a political lens, the EFCC Chairman maintained that the Commission does not discriminate based on party affiliation.

He pointed to several high-profile cases currently under investigation, many of which involve members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“If Nigerians assess our work fairly, they will recognise that, based on the statistics of our investigations and prosecutions, particularly in high-profile cases, a notable number of individuals from the ruling party, the APC, are among those we have pursued. We must be judged fairly. It is not just members, but also prominent figures within the ruling party who have been investigated and charged,” he said.

The EFCC Chairman further clarified that the political party affiliations of individuals under investigation do not deter the agency from fulfilling its mandate.

“It would be both unfair and unjust to turn a blind eye to individuals simply because they are not affiliated with the ruling party. Our responsibility is to ensure that justice is served, regardless of political leanings,” he added, urging Nigerians to make a balanced assessment of the Commission’s efforts.

Olukoyede once again reiterated the EFCC’s firm position, stressing that anyone found guilty of corruption, whether from the APC, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), or any other political party, will face the full consequences of their actions.

“If we discover that you have stolen money, you must answer, regardless of whether you belong to the APC, PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, or SDP. If a member of the APC has stolen money, they must face the consequences. If a member of the PDP has committed theft, they too will be held accountable,” he warned.