National Interest Coalition (NICO), an anti-corruption organisation, has accused some unnamed Nigerians of plot to destabilise and blackmail the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Olanipekun Olukoyede.
The group which staged a solidarity march to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, said part of the plot is to sponsor media campaign to smear the anti-graft agency and its Chairman.
Leader of the group, Comrade Bashir Abdu, said at a press conference that individuals facing corruption-related cases, are orchestrating media attacks “to smear the name of the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olukoyede, and weaken public trust in the commission.”
Abdu stated that the aim is to derail President Bola Tinubu’s anti-corruption drive, and to destabilise his government.
“They want to divert attention from the ongoing investigations that have exposed their dirty dealings that is sabotaging the government and empowering enemies of the government and Nigerian people.
“They have gone as far holding secret meetings with some persons, funding some journalists from the Dubai bank accounts to empower them to smear the anti-corruption agencies, especially EFCC and DSS,” the group further alleged.
It noted the achievements of the EFCC under Olukoyede, which it listed to include the recovery of billions of naira of stolen assets and funds, “some of which have already been returned to victims of fraud and to government coffers,” as well as crackdown on internet fraudsters and financial crimes, resulting in hundreds of convictions secured across various courts in the country.
NICO also said the EFCC has established victim-focused compensation system, where fraud victims now benefit directly from the commission’s recovery efforts.
“For the first time in many years, Nigerians are seeing renewed energy in high-profile investigations, asset recoveries, and the fearless pursuit of powerful persons who once believed themselves untouchable. This has sent a clear signal: the era of business as usual is over,” it added.
The group stated that the attack is not just on the EFCC Chairman but on President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, “the future of the Nigerian children, and millions of Nigerians who demand a government that works for them, not for corrupt elites.”
It therefore called on President Tinubu to remain steadfast, undistracted, and unyielding, assuring him that Nigerians are with him.
