Public affairs commentator and rights activist, Mahdi Shehu, has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its recent declaration of former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, as a wanted person.
He described the move as contradictory, self-indicting, and politically motivated.
In a post shared on his verified X handle on Tuesday, Shehu said the EFCC’s action exposes the commission’s double standards and selective justice.
He added that the agency has consistently looked away from bigger corruption cases involving powerful politicians and top government officials.
He recalled that the initial reports surrounding Sylva’s case were inconsistent, first linking him to a supposed coup plot an allegation which he said was later denied yet confirmed through multiple contradictions coming from different government quarters.
According to Shehu, the story later changed to an allegation that Sylva was involved in a $14 million fraud, a claim he described as a weak cover-up for a politically motivated chase.
“From EFCC’s grandstanding and their desperation over the Sylva issue, it is clear that the $14 million is not the true reason for declaring him wanted,” Shehu said.
“They have looked away from investigations relating to some current serving ministers and lawmakers whose alleged theft runs into trillions making Timipre Sylva’s case look laughable and even qualifying him as a ‘saint among thieves.’”
He accused the EFCC of dancing naked by focusing on minor cases while ignoring major corruption scandals.
“EFCC is dancing naked for chasing Timipre when they are still unable to prosecute all those Nigerians involved in the shameful Siemens multi-billion dollar bribery scandal even after Siemens admitted guilt and was convicted abroad,” he said.
Shehu also questioned why the anti-graft agency has failed to act on key findings from the Senator Ned Nwoko-led investigative committee on crude oil sales and the Senate Public Accounts Committee chaired by Senator Wadada, which reportedly queried the NNPCL over the whereabouts of ₦600 trillion from crude oil sales between 2017 and date.
The activist further accused the Commission of turning a blind eye to revelations in Mr. Obaze’s report on the CBN multi-trillion naira fraud, noting that while the former CBN Governor,
Godwin Emefiele, is being selectively prosecuted, his alleged accomplices both in and out of power are busy enjoying their loots because they are the anointed ‘big boys and big girls.’”
He warned that the EFCC’s continued pattern of selective prosecution and political bias could eventually lead to its downfall.
“EFCC’S looking away from high profile crimes and pretending them away for political and other selfish reasons will continue to be self indicting which will one day compel a courageous Nigerian leader to SCRAP the EFCC forever which will be celebrated as a good riddance to darkness,” he said.
