The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has reiterated that the agency will not succumb to political pressure in its anti-corruption drive, stressing that no individual or political party is beyond investigation.

In a statement on Tuesday, Olukoyede said the EFCC’s mandate remains non-partisan, with both ruling and opposition figures under scrutiny.
“If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party governors and ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” he stated.

His remarks followed claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the EFCC’s recent summons to some opposition members were politically driven and tied to “emergent political affiliations” rather than new evidence.

Describing the allegations as “self-serving, diversionary and idle,” Olukoyede insisted that all corruption allegations must be investigated regardless of when they arise.
“There is no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations,” he said, noting that governors from various parties are currently under investigation.

He stressed that the commission would not bow to blackmail or reveal details of ongoing probes, adding: “Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption. There is no sacred cow, protected interest or partisan consideration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption.”