FG using EFCC to ‘witch-hunt’ opposition, Akwa Ibom government alleges

Allegations against anti-graft agency not true, says Magu
Akwa Ibom State government has alleged that the Federal Government is using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ‘witch-hunt’ the opposition.It described the development as desperation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to power in 2019.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Charles Udoh, made the assertion, while reacting to EFCC’s claim that the state account was traced to 11 accounts paid to an unnamed lead legal officer.

The commissioner, who said the anti-graft agency has unfrozen the state government’s accounts, noted that the allegation was just an attempt to cover up Federal Government’s impunity and illegality.Besides, he stressed that the allegation was a face-saving ploy being employed be the commission.

“That is a false allegation, it is only a desperate face-saving method that EFCC is employing by its unlawful way of freezing the state account. It is worrisome,” he said.He said Governor Udom Emmanuel, as an experienced banker, had his reputation intact before joining politics, stressing that nobody or agency should attempt to drag his integrity to the mud.

On whether government suspected any political influence over EFCC’s action, Udoh argued that interference may not be entirely ruled out because of the timing, adding: “Even if it was coincidental, it was one coincident too many.”

Meanwhile, Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has denied allegations that the anti-graft agency was being used to witch-hunt APC’s perceived political opponents.
He said the commission has been fair in discharging its constitutional responsibilities, which is to get rid of corruption in the country.

Magu said the agency has secured not less than 150 convictions of corrupt individuals from January to June this year, adding: “That is the best anybody can do from January to date.”He spoke during a stakeholders’ interactive session at the EFCC Ibadan zonal office yesterday.