Presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to focus on high-impact cases to restore public trust. He commended the EFCC chairman’s efforts to tackle grand corruption and urged the commission to investigate cases like oil theft, budget padding, and embezzlement.
“I have consistently advocated for prioritizing the tackling of grand corruption, which has ravaged our economy and impoverished our citizens,” Obi said. “I urge anti-graft agencies to focus on investigating grand theft and corruption in government and public asset management, such as oil theft, budget padding, contract inflation, embezzlement, and misappropriation of public funds.”
Obi emphasized the need for accountability and transparency, stating that prioritizing high-impact cases will strengthen institutions, ensure leadership that saves funds for healthcare, education, and infrastructure, and pull people out of poverty.
“The EFCC chairman’s resolve to confront this scourge head-on is laudable, and I urge him to remain steadfast in his pursuit of verifiable cases,” Obi said. “Together, we must ensure that those responsible for this large-scale pillage are held accountable and that our nation’s wealth is protected for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
He also encouraged the EFCC to hold those who engage in cronyism and nepotism accountable, and suggested that lesser agencies handle minor cases of petty theft and money spraying at parties.
“By prioritizing high-impact cases, we can restore public trust, strengthen institutions, and ensure leadership that saves enough funds for healthcare, education, and infrastructure, pulling people out of poverty,” Obi said. “It is time for accountability and transparency to prevail.”
Obi’s call comes as the EFCC has been actively working to tackle corruption in Nigeria, with recent successes including the forfeiture of properties linked to a former governor and placing another former governor on the INTERPOL watch list.
