BENIN CITY, NIGERIA – The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has voiced his dissatisfaction with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the anti-graft agency of being influenced by the highest bidders in handling petitions from his palace.
The monarch made these remarks on Monday while receiving Effa Okim, the zonal director of the EFCC in Benin. Oba Ewuare II expressed his discontent with the manner in which the EFCC managed a fraud petition concerning former palace officials, alleging that despite compelling evidence, the officials were released without proper investigation.
“No matter how you try to support EFCC from the palace, when it is time to assist them, they listen to other parties,” the monarch stated. “What I have been told is that they take instructions from the highest bidder.”
Oba Ewuare II was particularly critical of the actions of a specific EFCC operative who handled the case during the tenure of previous administrations at the zonal office. “If I was asked to comment on her performance, I would score her zero. I do not know if she was doing an EFCC job or just dancing to the tunes of people who were giving her money,” he remarked.
The monarch’s criticism underscores a significant challenge for the EFCC, as it grapples with maintaining its credibility and effectiveness in the eyes of influential leaders and the public. The Oba’s comments highlight ongoing concerns about corruption and impartiality within the agency.
When contacted by TheCable, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s head of media and publicity, said he would respond to the allegations. However, there was no further update at the time of filing this report.
This development casts a spotlight on the EFCC’s operational integrity and its relationship with traditional institutions in Nigeria, raising questions about the influence of external factors on its investigative processes. The EFCC will need to address these allegations to restore confidence in its mission to combat financial crimes and corruption across the country.