A civil society group, the National Interest Coalition (NICO), has raised alarm over a plot by some embattled officials to blackmail the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and derail President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption campaign.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday before leading a solidarity march to EFCC headquarters, the Convener of NICO, Comrade Bashir Saleh Abdu, alleged that those under corruption probes are channelling stolen public funds into media propaganda and smear campaigns against the EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede.
“These desperate men, terrified of the law, are deploying billions of looted funds to undermine the EFCC, discredit Mr. President, and destabilize the government,” Abdu said.
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He added that the conspirators were funding dissident groups to weaken public trust in anti-graft institutions, including the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS).
NICO urged President Tinubu and the EFCC leadership to remain firm, warning that no individual, no matter how highly placed, should be allowed to evade justice.
The group also highlighted EFCC’s recent achievements under Olukoyede, including the recovery of billions in stolen assets, the prosecution of high-profile figures, the crackdown on internet fraudsters, and institutional reforms to boost professionalism and transparency.
“These successes have sent a clear message that the era of business as usual is over. It is precisely because of these breakthroughs that corruption is fighting back,” he said.
According to the coalition, the current attacks are not just against EFCC or its chairman, but a direct assault on President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and the aspirations of millions of Nigerians demanding accountable leadership.
“We must not allow this sinister agenda to succeed,” the group said.