In recent times, calculated campaigns have been launched against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) based on what its traducers regard as abuses of human rights by its operatives in arresting suspects of internet fraud and other acts of corruption. Such trumped-up claims are littering the media space daily.
False narratives, fictitious scenarios, and fabricated names and identities are being used to portray the Commission negatively. These reports ignore the milestones on convictions, recoveries, interventions, and global acclaim of the EFCC’s works. Therefore, such campaigns lack objectivity and patriotic inclination.
Law enforcement anywhere in the world is not a kiss-and-cuddle engagement. Fraudsters have no altruistic inclination. To this end, an arrest in a sting operation is not expected to be a warm embrace.
Available records show that every sting operation embarked upon by operatives of the EFCC usually yields bumper convictions in courts. Whether in Asaba, Akure, Sokoto, Uyo, Lagos, Ibadan, Gombe, Ilorin or Maiduguri, suspects of internet fraud and other acts of corruption have ended in jail because of the clasping evidence of their involvement in the crimes.
With its large conviction record in 2024, it is uncharitable for any media report to allege that arrests of internet fraudsters bore flagrant abuses of their fundamental human rights. It is important to stress that even many of the widely-acclaimed law enforcement agencies across the world have many records of forced arrests, some brutal in their operations. Of course, no attempt is made to portray such records as ideal situations. We only need to appreciate the finesse and comparative decency of the EFCC in doing its job.
Come to think of it, what is more damaging to Nigeria than the lawful arrest of fraudsters and the effects of their crime on the nation? Imagine the effects of the activities of 792 alleged investment and internet fraudsters recently arrested by the EFCC on the economy and image of Nigeria! Should the Commission have elected to look the other way and allow these suspected fraudsters to continue their nefarious activities?
A single arrest of so many suspects has drawn applause from all corners of the world. Local and international law enforcement agencies and sincere commentators continue to applaud the intelligence-led operation. Insinuating anything else is a smear campaign, obvious to discerning Nigerians.
All the contrived accounts of arrest of internet fraudsters by operatives of the EFCC in some sections of the media alleged intimidation, harassment, brutality, and other claims. Except in one or two cases where overzealous officers of the Commission acted out of character and had been duly sanctioned. It is important to disclose publicly that sting operations by the Commission are monitored.
Many of the so-called break-and-bust allegations are wild and contrived to inflame passion. EFCC officers are highly trained and professional. They are not brutes and terrorists “ assaulting naked and pregnant women,” as alleged. It beggars belief that every woman caught in the ‘crossfire’ of the arrest of fraudsters is always naked!
Time and time again, the Commission had decried the antics of impersonators bent on dragging its image to the mud. Series of videos of funny characters beating up their suspects and extorting money from them are all over the internet.
Unfortunately, the public and some less fancied journalists believe these skits exemplify the EFCC modus operandi. The Commission has made several public statements to denounce these skits and activities of impostors. Detractors are unyielding in their false accusations against the EFCC.
Legal action may henceforth be necessary to compel hatchet writers to come forward with proof of their claims. The EFCC is a responsible global law enforcement community member, and all its operations align with international best practices.
Regarding fundamental human rights, the EFCC is empowered to arrest suspected fraudsters anywhere and at any time of the day. No law says that arrests cannot be made at night or in the early hours of the day. Where there is a crime, an arrest is possible.
The hoopla about EFCC’s unrelenting conduct of sting operations at night carries the imprimatur of blackmail from a community of fraudsters angling for respite from the Commission’s offensive.
Enough of blackmail of conducting raids when it is obvious that the Commission only conducts sting operations whenever necessary. Chairman Ola Olukoyede has always stressed that a raid is never in the operational lexicon of the EFCC.
A raid is a random, unprofessional, and whimsical attack on suspects of a crime. The EFCC is too polished and civilised to embark on such gangsterism. Sting operations are intelligence-driven. They are not raids, and the public needs to take note of this.
Conducting such operations does not translate into breaching the rights of suspects. You cannot give a notice to a suspected fraudster and expect to make a success of such an operation.
As a Commission working to expand Nigeria’s development frontiers, tackling internet fraud has become a fait accomplice. To this end, two important national dialogues were convened in 2024. Fresh insights into alternatives to fraud are being developed. A Cybercrime Research Centre is being established to develop the capacities of our youths in innovation, social engineering, problem-solving, and skill development.
A Commission making such moves should not be maligned by anyone seeking relevance. The truth is that Olukoyede is too focused on reform and positive engagement to allow his officers to turn the nation into a violent field in pursuit of internet fraudsters.
Internet fraud and corruption are worse abuses of the fundamental rights of all Nigerians. Every deprivation Nigerians suffer can be directly traced to the effects of corruption. The crises in the power sector, especially, are beyond description. Electricity is a scarce commodity in Nigeria.
With just over 4,000 megawatts supplying nearly 220 million people, the electricity access deficit is about 40 per cent nationwide. The picture looks even darker in rural areas. About 73 per cent of the population is off the power grid”.
Corruption is largely responsible for this. Nigerians have a right to enjoy a stable power supply, but the cumulative effects of corrupt practices deny this right. The EFCC is in court against two former ministers of power on their alleged fraudulent dealings that have resulted in the suffering of Nigerians. Is this not worse than needless wolf cries in some sections of the media about the arrest of internet fraudsters?
Owing to the havoc it has wreaked on Nigeria’s image, Internet fraud is being described as the “ Nigerian scam” worldwide. Travelling around the world by any Nigerian carries a high risk of embarrassment and humiliation because of the unsavoury activities of internet fraudsters.
Immigration issues are becoming more difficult for many Nigerians because of these fraudsters. Normal business engagement cannot be undertaken without being accosted unfairly or suspected of fraud.
The EFCC is aware of this and is working tirelessly to relaunch the nation into pathways of honour and respect. Raising needless war against a Commission that is doing all these should be condemned by well-meaning Nigerians. Internet fraudsters are enemies of our nation and must be so regarded.
Recently, the EFCC announced the final forfeiture of 753 duplexes and other apartments in the Lokogoma District of Abuja. The forfeiture was the largest single recovery made by the Commission since its establishment in 2003.
Given the quantum of the assets and the courage and integrity of Commission officers closely supervised by Olukoyede, one would have expected fair commentaries on the feat by those employed to paint the EFCC black.
They cannot do this because their paymasters are angry that such assets are lost to the government. This hypocrisy is enough reason for Nigerians to ignore all the hues and cries about normal law enforcement works of the Commission.
want to let you know that no attempt is being made to defend any form of impunity or recklessness by any officer of the EFCC. It is public knowledge that erring officers of the Commission have been appropriately disciplined in line with the standard operating procedure of the EFCC.
In closing this piece, it is important to reiterate that the EFCC is on a redemptive mission. It serves no purpose for anyone to embark on a mission of blackmail against the Commission. As long as no one can deny the EFCC’s impact on individual, corporate, and national lives, we will be doing our nation a greater good if we amplify the Commission’s strengths and constructively point to areas that need improvement.
Wailing about singular cases of indiscretions and glossing over the EFCC’s monumental achievements cannot be accepted as fair commentaries. The media’s watchdog role should not be sacrificed for the filthy lucre of grants by so-called development partners. Manipulating facts and figures garnished with falsehood to justify a grant is the height of disservice to our country. We do know that corruption always fights back.
However, the fightback should not be decorated as a patriotic initiative. The public is enjoined to be wary of those seeking to pull down a sturdy tower to exact a pound of flesh. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we should endeavour to salvage it together.
Dele Oyewale is the chief spokesman for the EFCC
