Two prominent Northern groups, the Northern Elders Progressive Forum (NEPF) and the Northern Professionals Development Group (NPDG), have jointly voiced concerns over the alleged bias exhibited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Northern politicians in its recent anti-corruption campaign.
The groups, following a two-day meeting on national issues, expressed their dismay in a joint communiqué, citing a Punch newspaper report titled “EFCC Revives 13 Ex-Governors’ N772bn Fraud Cases.” The report highlighted corruption allegations against several Northern politicians, leading to criticism from the NEPF and NPDG.
NEPF Chairman Dr. Usman Sani and NPDG Secretary Comrade Yusuf Abubakar Dingiyadi, in the communiqué, denounced the publication, claiming it had caused embarrassment to the individuals, their families, and the nation at large.
While acknowledging the EFCC’s efforts in combating corruption, the groups cautioned against the potential misuse of the commission for political vendettas.
They suggested that some political entities might be utilizing media platforms to tarnish the image of certain personalities.
The communique recommended that individuals making public accusations should pay compensation if the accused are found innocent after thorough investigation and court proceedings.
Emphasising the importance of upholding the presumption of innocence, the groups urged the EFCC to remain impartial and objective in its anti-corruption endeavors.
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Expressing concerns about the erosion of the EFCC’s objectives due to political influences, the groups called on the commission to ensure fairness and transparency in its investigations.
The communique stated, “The commission should not allow itself to become a tool of political vendetta, blackmail or intimidation against any individual through personal grudges, persecution and campaign of calumny to tarnish the image of certain personalities or any perceived political enemies of the characters hiding behind their executive power to unleash allegations through media for public consumption and sympathy.
“There are groups of people who are allegedly sponsoring such sinister motives against some of the political leaders mentioned in the PUNCH story in order to tarnish their reputation; those affected are senators Adamu Abdullahi, Danjuma Gone, Rabu’u Musa Kwankwasko, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Sule Lamido, among others.
“Most painful to see even the serving political leaders are not spared example of Dr. Bello Matawalle who has served Zamfara State meritoriously, honestly, diligently, and transparently, but his name was involved in this conspiracy by some hidden forces with the intention to destroy his good name and service rendered for the progress of his state and the country at large.
“However, we advise EFCC leadership to denounce the Punch publication and bring out a bond of assurance by ordering those petitioners, characters who allegedly accused those mentioned by the Punch Newspaper and many others to come out publicly and sign to pay compensation to those accused if after investigation and court process were found innocent from such allegations”.