‘EFCC has become a tool for oppression’ – Group alleges
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
A group, Allied Political Parties for Good Governance and Building Nigeria Legacy, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of politicizing the anti-graft campaign of the Federal Government.
The group noted that the Commission had allowed itself to be used as a tool for witch-hunting some politicians with dissenting voices.
The group’s reaction followed the recent face-off between the Kogi State Government and the EFCC over an alleged N20 billion salary bail-out account at the Sterling Bank that was purportedly frozen by the court.
According to them, ‘the anti-graft agency is pursuing an agenda and is being used by some APC chieftains to label some politicians as corrupt through frivolous cases.’
Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Raphs Okey Nwosu, who briefed Journalists on Wednesday at Awka, Anambra State, on behalf of the group, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call Commission to order, saying, it has become a tool for oppression.
“EFCC and other agencies of government must learn to focus on their jobs and stay away from politicians; extricate themselves from politics and begin to function as preventive organizations.
“Brinkmanship is destructive of government establishments and institutions.
“A stich in time saves nine. Mr President and the Presidency should be concerned with the history Buhari leaves as he finishes his tenure.
“Matters involving a commercial bank and a state government can be effectively investigated if the purpose is noble without such public exacerbation and politicking. If not for their prompt response, and opening its door instantly, the government of Kogi state will have been rubbished which I believe was the intention.
“Apparently, some people feel very uncomfortable with the World Bank letter released a few weeks ago that was reported in many newspapers commending the Governor of Kogi State for refunding US$4.63million surplus funds under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project (NEWMAP); and his recent report card as the best state in women and youths mainstreaming into government.
“Last week, the biggest topic in the news was the face-off between the Government of Kogi State and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The country woke up to the news that the EFCC had frozen a purported Kogi State salary bail-out account domiciled in Sterling Bank over a N20bn loan meant to augment the salary payment and running cost of the state government” but kept in an interest-yielding account with the Bank.”
While commending the state government on its transparent rebuttal, Nwosu asked the EFCC to ‘desist from tarnishing the image of perceived enemies with unverified cases.’
