EFCC Criticized For Frequent Press Conferences, Accused Of Political Witch Hunts - Politics

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has once again called the press to a media conference, inviting journalists to its headquarters on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Scheduled to begin at 9:30 am, this event will be held on the first floor of the EFCC HQ and aims to update the media on the agency’s recent activities. However, critics are questioning whether these frequent press engagements indicate a troubling shift in focus, suggesting that the EFCC has transformed from an anti-corruption agency into a media organization more concerned with its image than with rooting out financial misconduct. Many observers have voiced disappointment, asserting that the EFCC's preoccupation with media appearances and public statements has diverted it from its core mission. Rather than undertaking thorough investigations and prosecuting cases with integrity, the agency has often opted for "media trials" that seem designed to shame and smear rather than serve justice. In these instances, suspects are paraded and their charges publicized before due process is complete, a strategy that some argue is politically motivated. Critics suggest that the EFCC has devolved into a platform for "media prosecution," where high-profile figures, sometimes tied to political opposition, are publicly disgraced without substantial evidence or fair trial. Professional bodies have raised concerns about the lack of thorough investigative standards and due process. Unlike professional organizations that uphold ethical guidelines, ensuring transparent, unbiased investigations, the EFCC has been accused of selectively targeting individuals in ways that seem intended for public consumption rather than legal accountability. Many legal experts believe this approach undermines the institution’s credibility, as genuine anti-corruption work requires consistency, impartiality, and professionalism. Furthermore, the EFCC’s approach contrasts starkly with how anti-graft agencies in other countries operate. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) carries out its work with minimal publicity until cases are fully investigated, allowing the courts to determine guilt without the influence of public opinion. The EFCC's media-centric approach, however, has frequently involved targeting notable individuals and organizations with sensational accusations that never see the inside of a courtroom, leaving lingering questions over the integrity and motivations behind such announcements. The EFCC's repeated use of media briefings and press releases has led some to question whether the agency is deliberately creating a narrative rather than pursuing substantive reforms. In a country where accountability is paramount, the focus on press conferences instead of on investigative rigor and results has left the public skeptical of the EFCC’s agenda. Without a strong shift toward fair and independent investigations, the perception grows that the agency is less an anti-graft watchdog and more a tool for political maneuvering, one that has, disappointingly, turned into a platform for spectacle rather than substantive reform in Nigeria’s fight against corruption. https://thedailyvanguard..com/2024/10/efcc-hosts-yet-another-media-conference.html

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