EFCC investigation: Those with clean hands have nothing to fear – Showunmi
The Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has opined that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFC, is legally bound to investigate allegations of economic and financial crimes, insisting that anyone with clean hands has nothing to fear.
He stressed that no one is above the law, and the constitution does not create exemptions for opposition leaders, former officeholders, or political coalitions.
DAILY POST reports that Atiku Abubakar, Senator David Mark, Peter Obi, and others had accused the Federal Government of using the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police to persecute opposition politicians.
Recall that the EFCC had invited and detained some opposition leaders over alleged corruption and is currently investigating a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
In a statement issued on Sunday, titled “Anti-Corruption, Not Anti-Opposition,” the opposition leaders said the anti-grafting agencies are increasingly perceived as tools of political intimidation, selective justice, and systematic persecution of opposition leaders.
They stated that the focus of state power appears to have shifted from combating economic crimes to systematically weakening perceived political rivals and creating a climate where ruling party actors receive little attention while opposition leaders are subject to harassment and punishment.
The leaders of the opposition cautioned that Nigeria is witnessing a covert and extremely unsettling plan to strengthen the APC’s hold on power.
Responding swiftly, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, urged politicians to stop undermining national institutions, saying the EFCC remains independent and that those who have cases to answer before it should be bold and brave enough to defend themselves if they are clean.
Reacting to this, Showunmi, in a statement on Monday, asserted that when political actors attempt to weaponize opposition status as immunity from the law, the country’s democracy is under threat.
He noted that calling an investigation “victimisation” signals an attempt to pre-empt justice with propaganda.
His words: “Let it be stated plainly: opposition is not a licence to steal, and it is not a shield against accountability. The Nigerian Constitution is clear; it mandates the State to abolish corruption and abuse of power. It does not create exemptions for opposition leaders, former officeholders, or political coalitions.
“Investigation, arrest, and prosecution, when carried out within the law, do not violate fundamental rights. This is settled by the Supreme Court, not by political press conferences.
“If you are innocent, the courts will clear you. If you are not, the law will take its course. That is the essence of the rule of law. Those with clean hands have nothing to fear; those with questions to answer should answer them before the law.
“Enough is enough. Nigeria will not trade the rule of law for political convenience.”
Showunmi argued that when trust is breached, there are consequences, and a professional legal defence and respect for due process are the proper ways to respond to an investigation—not alarmism, international lobbying, or political noise.
EFCC investigation: Those with clean hands have nothing to fear – Showunmi