Civil rights group, Transparency Coalition of Nigeria (TCN), has called on the President-elect, Muhammed Buhari, to insulate the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) from being manipulated by politicians to witch hunt perceived enemies when he assumes office.
In a statement by its Secretary General, Mr. Peter Gimba in Abuja on Tuesday, the TCN said it was concerned about the use of the EFCC for political purposes by the Executive arm in the past.
Gimba said the act had undermined the credibility of the anti-crime commission and attempts to enshrine transparency in all government business.
“The reasons for the establishment of the EFCC remain genuine and the case for the commission remains strong. However, the perceived use of the EFCC by the executive to muzzle or intimidate its real or perceived opponents into submission is a worrisome development that has diminished public confidence in the EFCC and raised questions about the government’s commitment to due process, accountability and transparency.
“TCN, therefore, calls on the President-elect to strengthen the EFCC and insulate it from political control, especially by those who seek to use the commission as a weapon of intimidation and blackmail targeted at political opponents”.
The group argued that the use of pending EFCC cases in hate campaigns against perceived political opponents contributed to the erosion of public confidence in the commission apart from the injury inflicted on the reputation of the affected individuals.
On the leadership of the forthcoming National Assembly, TCN canvassed the election of principal officers with a known commitment to rule of law, due process, and transparency so that the legislative and the executive arms can work in tandem to stamp out corruption and impunity while instilling transparency in the country.
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