News About Nigeria reports that this revelation was made by Osita Nwajah, the Director of Public Affairs at the EFCC, during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
The timing of this announcement is significant, as it comes shortly after Governor Matawalle called for the resignation of Abdulrasheed Bawa, the EFCC chair.
Matawalle had urged the anti-graft agency to focus its attention on officials in the Nigerian presidency and outgoing ministers.
However, the EFCC has dismissed his demands and clarified that they are not obligated to comply with his requests.
Bawa, speaking through Nwajah, emphasized that it is not within Matawalle’s jurisdiction to dictate whom the EFCC investigates.
The agency’s role is to apprehend individuals involved in criminal activities, regardless of their social status or position.
Nwajah questioned Matawalle’s motives and asked whether it was a case of a “thief” seeking impunity until other “thieves” are brought to justice.
Furthermore, Nwajah highlighted the case of Sale Mamman, a former Minister of Power, who is currently in EFCC custody facing allegations of corruption amounting to N22 billion.
This incident conveniently escaped Matawalle’s attention, raising questions about his selective focus on investigations.
Governor Matawalle, who lost his re-election bid in March, will be leaving office at the end of May.
Once his tenure ends, he will lose the constitutional immunity that has protected him from prosecution.
This development puts him at risk of facing legal consequences for the alleged diversion of funds.
The agency has been actively pursuing cases of financial misconduct across various sectors and social classes, demonstrating that no one is above the law.
