The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has debunked claims that President Bola Tinubu is using the anti-graft agency to target opposition politicians.

Olukoyede, who spoke on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Wednesday, described such allegations as distractions aimed at derailing the President from his developmental agenda.

According to him, President Tinubu is more concerned with ensuring that ministries, departments, and agencies deliver on their mandates than involving himself in the operations of the EFCC.

“I think Nigerians should appreciate the kind of president we have at this time, and I am being serious about it. It is not because I am occupying this position.

“Anyone who would be sincere, particularly those who work with Mr President, those who are members of the Federal Executive Council, those who are heading agencies, ministries and departments, any time you see Mr President, the body language is ‘look, what have you done?’ ‘How much have you recovered?’” Olukoyede said.

He added, “The man doesn’t have time for this issue, people are just trying to distract the government, they are just trying to distract the working president. Those who are close to him will tell you he doesn’t want to hear anything apart from the performance.”

Addressing allegations that the EFCC targets opposition voices, Olukoyede stressed that more members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have been investigated and prosecuted than members of opposition parties.

“If you check the statistics of our work, the area of investigation, prosecution, particularly high-profile cases, you will perhaps find more members of the ruling party, some of the cases we have done. So, we must be judged fairly,” he noted.

The EFCC boss insisted that refusing to investigate or prosecute opposition members simply due to public criticism would be unjust and compromise the Commission’s mandate.

“You will find prominent members of the ruling party as part of the people we have investigated and filed charges against. So, for us to close our eyes to people who perhaps are not members of the ruling political party will be unfair to us and will be an injustice,” he said.

On internal reforms, Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC has dismissed 27 staff members over various misconducts since he took over leadership.

He emphasized that integrity must be the foundation of the anti-corruption campaign, stating that without it, the EFCC’s mission cannot be taken seriously.

Olukoyede added that the effort is ongoing, with several additional disciplinary cases still pending and receiving attention.

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