EFCC has the Mandate to Probe Corruption Suspects in the Opposition – Osun APC Leader

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Investigations being carried out by the anti-graft agency on some politicians who happen to be members of opposition parties is an exercise that falls in line within the mandate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. This affirmation was made by Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun. He was reacting to criticisms that the investigation of some opposition leaders was politically motivated. There was an outcry by people who claim that some former governors and erstwhile federal legislators recently invited by the EFCC for questioning were being summoned because of their involvement in political pressure against the government of President Bola Tinubu. Among those being investigated are Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto state, and one time speaker of the House of Representatives and David Mark, former president of the Senate. The two men are currently in the African Democratic Congress, ADC, a party that is hosting the coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. 

But Oyintiloye said, rather than being a witch-hunt the invitations were prompted by petitions received by the antigraft agency against the affected politicians. He said this is a constitutional matter and, adding that it was in line with international best practices.

The APC leader, therefore, cautioned the critics against blackmailing the federal government over the issue. Oyintiloye, a former lawmaker, said this while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo. 

Oyintiloye said that being a member of the opposition parties should not be seen as immunity against investigation into any alleged financial infractions whenever there were genuine reasons for it. 

According to him, members of the ruling party are also being investigated by the EFCC whenever petitions alleging financial infractions are raised against them.

According to him, the EFCC has a statutory mandate to investigate financial infractions involving public office holders across party lines without bias or favoritism. 

He cautioned members of opposition parties under EFCC investigation to stop blackmailing the President and focus on proving their innocence, if any.

The APC chieftain said that neither Tinubu nor the anti-graft agency would be swayed by unfounded allegations of witch-hunting but would rather continue to do what is right and just for the country.

“The EFCC has a mandate to investigate financial infractions against anyone, irrespective of political affiliations.

” Linking the President to the investigation of alleged financial infractions by opposition members in the name of politics is totally wrong.

” Whether you are a member of the ruling party or opposition, you are not immune to financial investigation.

” I want to caution members of the opposition parties to stop politicising what the EFCC is doing and prove their innocence, if any.”

 Should any corrupt politician assume that he would be left off the hook because of fear of blackmail, Oyintiloye has advice for them: “President Tinubu is a man of honour and integrity, and he will not compromise his ideals in the name of politics. So, it is no longer business as usual. More of corrupt politicians hiding in opposition parties with the intent to blackmail the President to get themselves off the hook will still be arrested. No room for graft under Tinubu administration.”