The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been described as a political party under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
A political activist, Deji Adeyanju, gave the description while reacting to the recent clash involving the anti-graft agency and another activist, Segun Awosanya, popularly known as Segalink.
Mr Adeyanju, one of the fierce critic of the present administration accused the EFCC of fighting a one-sided war on financial crimes while looking the other way when cronies of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) are indicted.
“EFCC has been reduced to a political party under Buhari. It has never been this bad for the commission since its creation,” the activist said in a tweet Friday morning.
“They now chase Yahoo Boys up & down while yahoo politicians in the ruling party are chilling. #SegaEFCC,” he added.
The war of words between Mr Awosanya and the anti-graft commission began on Wednesday when the EFCC quoted a section of its act in justifying its recent clamp down on internet scammers also known as Yahoo boys.
“Section 7 (1) (b) of EFCC Establishment Act, 2004 gives us the power to investigate “properties of any person if it appears to the Commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of income,” it tweeted in response to a tweet.
Replying the commission is activist Segalink who said the quoted section is only applicable when it involves online scammers and opposition politicians.
“I’m sure this Section only gives you an erection when it concerns yahoo boys & opposition politicians. While the miraculous self aggrandizers in bed with those the head of EFCC worships are immune to investigation. Daylight bullion van exhibition on bourdillon is justified right?,” he queried the anti-graft agency which reeled out the numbers of convictions it has secured since the present administration took over in 2015.
“Not to toe the line of politics, as you may wish, the EFCC has successfully investigated, prosecuted and secured over 1245 convictions between 2015 and 2019 which include 2 former governors, several top government functionaries, both in past and present dispensations. Applaud us!,” EFCC responded.
The bullion van been talked about by the activist is the one seen on the eve of this year’s presidential election day entering the residence of Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the APC.
Mr Tinubu has admitted owning the contents of the bullion van despite laws of the land prohibiting the transaction of certain amount without going through financial institutions in the country.
“Now that you have caught your breath, can we focus on the case in point? Since you’re a mind reader in the know of my wishes before stating them, just as you deem our youth fraudsters without thorough investigation & play to the gallery. This handle doesn’t applaud mediocrity,” the activist continued.
“Your Boss claimed that he has built & strengthened the institution for the mere fact that EFCC are now in their own building, can you tell us what rule prohibits the investigation & prosecution of the likes of Asiwaju, Oshiomhole, Akpabio, et al granted absolution by the APC?
“Let me splash some colors on this to make it simpler to comprehend. Your tweet claims that all EFCC require to hunt down citizens is the display of wealth that can’t be justified. What justified the relocation of CBN to Asiwaju’s house on Bourdillon at the eve of an election?” he queried while attaching a photo of the bullion van.
Responding, the anti-graft commission requested that a petition be lodged for it to investigate the former Lagos State governor.
“Kindly forward your petitions to [email protected] or visit any of our Zonal offices or Head office to submit a copy of your petition. Cheers,” EFCC tweeted.
The defiant activist did not stop as he went on the query who submitted the petition, as the anti-graft agency would imply, that led to the clamp down of the alleged fraudsters.
“Unfortunately, for your balkanized institution, there’re several petitions you are yet to visit on sundry matters u’re not interested in investigating for obvious reasons. By the way who petitioned EFCC on the indiscriminate arrest of young people illegally paraded as yahoo boys?
“Someone should please ask @officialEFCC how many @PoliceNG officers they’ve apprehended for robbing and kidnapping citizens for ransom? We have recovered hundreds of millions in 3years conservatively in botched raids. Is this not corruption?! Is this justified?” Segalink queried.
Since he asked the last question, the official Twitter handle of the anti-graft commission has refused to respond despite been active and tweeting other activities of the agency.
