The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm on campaigns initiated by politically influential individuals who are under investigation for alleged corrupt practices.
Their objective is to discredit the agency and its leadership.
The EFCC was responding to statements made by Bello Muhammed Matawalle, the Governor of Zamfara State, in which he criticized the agency’s investigation of state governors and raised concerns about corruption in the agency’s handling of asset disposal and plea bargain processes.
Osita Nwajah, the Director of Public Affairs at the EFCC, addressed the media at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja and described Matawalle’s outburst as an attempt by corrupt individuals to fight back against the EFCC’s lawful activities.
Nwajah stated that the governor himself was under investigation for alleged corruption related to contract fraud and the diversion of funds amounting to N70 billion, intended for local government projects.
Nwajah emphasized that Matawalle’s attack did not come as a surprise, as it was a common tactic used by corrupt individuals to destabilize the leadership of the EFCC during periods of political transition.
He pointed out that previous EFCC chairmen had also faced similar accusations of misappropriating recovered assets.
Nwajah warned that the public should expect more wild allegations from those under EFCC investigation, as they will fiercely fight back.
The EFCC clarified that Matawalle’s claims regarding the transparency of the agency’s asset disposal and plea bargain procedures were baseless.
The Commission conducted an asset disposal exercise that was widely acclaimed as the most transparent in the country’s history, and the proceeds were remitted to the federal government for infrastructure development.
Regarding plea bargains, the EFCC stated that it operated within the confines of the law and had never engaged in any abuses.
“If Matawalle has evidence of such abuses, he is encouraged to present it.”
The EFCC criticized Matawalle for attempting to dictate whom the agency should investigate, stating that it is not within his jurisdiction to decide who should be arrested or when.
The EFCC emphasized that its investigations encompass individuals from various sectors and social classes, irrespective of their positions or affiliations.
The EFCC concluded by highlighting that Matawalle was being investigated for allegations of monumental corruption, including the awarding of phantom contracts and the diversion of over N70 billion.
The funds, sourced as a loan from a bank, were intended for projects across the state’s local government areas but were allegedly funneled through proxies and contractors who did not perform the contracted services.
The EFCC disclosed that more than 100 companies received payments without evidence of rendering services, and some contractors admitted to converting the payments into US dollars and returning them to the governor.
The EFCC acknowledged the anxiety within the Zamfara State Government due to the ongoing investigation, as the governor is concerned about his fate after his tenure ends on May 29.
The EFCC has refrained from arresting the governor due to the immunity enjoyed by state governors and their deputies from criminal prosecution while in office.
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