The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has reiterated the agency’s firm commitment to impartiality in the war against corruption, affirming that politicians across all party lines will be held accountable for financial crimes.

Appearing as a guest on Channels Television, Olukoyede emphasised that the EFCC remains fully within its statutory duty to investigate and prosecute individuals implicated in corrupt practices.

“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,” he stated, responding to perceptions of political bias in the Commission’s operations.

While acknowledging that EFCC actions may sometimes be seen through a political lens, Olukoyede maintained that the Commission is guided solely by evidence.

He noted that many of the Commission’s high-profile investigations have involved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), highlighting that political affiliation does not shield anyone from scrutiny.

“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.

Olukoyede also clarified that politicians under investigation cannot use party affiliation as a form of protection.

“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 evaluate the EFCC’s efforts objectively.

Reaffirming the agency’s position, Olukoyede stressed that no political group is exempt from investigation or prosecution.

“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.

[TheNation]