The Coalition Against Injustice in Nigeria, (CAIN), has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of abandoning its core mandate, alleging that the agency has been reduced to a tool for political witch-hunt, media trial and selective prosecution.
In an issued statement jointly signed by its President, Abdulganiyu Lukman, National Secretary, Ifeoma Ada Chimezie, and National PRO, Musa Shehu Ado, the group faulted the EFCC’s current leadership, claiming it targets opposition figures while shielding ruling party members from scrutiny.
CAIN questioned why high-profile politicians facing allegations of corruption, including former Rivers governor Nyesom Wike, ex-APC chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and ex-Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello, have not been thoroughly investigated. It also cited stalled cases such as those involving former humanitarian minister Beta Edu and former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
The group further alleged that corruption cases against certain individuals are dropped once they join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while opposition members and perceived threats to the 2027 political agenda are aggressively pursued.
CAIN condemned what it described as the EFCC’s reliance on “media trial,” accusing the agency of blackmailing individuals through negative publicity before proper investigation or prosecution.
“The EFCC that is supposed to be leading the war against corruption is completely derailing from its core aims and objectives. We are not against the EFCC or its Chairman, but we are out to correct this injustice for every Nigerian to get fair and just treatment”, the statement read.
The coalition also criticised the appointment of the current EFCC chairman, alleging that he was elevated through media manipulation rather than constitutional merit. According to the group, he has recorded the “highest number of protests and calls for resignation” in the agency’s history.
CAIN urged Nigerians not to take the EFCC seriously until it returns to its mandate of fighting corruption without bias.
