As Alexis de Tocqueville once said, “Without comparison, the mind does not know how to proceed.” The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been vocal about combating internet fraud, with both former and current chairmen urging youths to shun cybercrime. While this awareness is commendable, especially in today’s digital age, it’s striking that the same fervor isn’t applied to politicians who perpetrate grand corruption.
Former EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, called on youths to join the fight against economic and financial crimes on October 5, 2022. Current Chairman Ola Olukoyede has also urged Nigerian students to use the internet for positive ventures. However, the emphasis on cybercrime seems to overshadow the more significant issue of corruption among politicians, who are responsible for the bulk of the country’s financial woes.
The EFCC’s selective justice is glaring. For instance, former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was invited over allegations of diverting N1 trillion, but nothing has been heard since. Similarly, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, was accused of N40 billion fraud, but the case seems to have vanished into thin air. The EFCC had previously arrested Akpabio over alleged theft of N108.1 billion, but he was never paraded or publicly shamed like internet fraudsters.
This double standard undermines the EFCC’s integrity. It’s unacceptable to treat big-time thieves with kid gloves while humiliating petty thieves. If we believe in equal justice, then politicians should face the same public scrutiny as internet fraudsters.
The EFCC boasts of securing convictions, but it’s concerning that some high-profile cases have gone cold, with no updates or headlines. According to the EFCC, 58 former governors have embezzled or laundered N2.187 trillion since Nigeria’s return to democracy. This staggering amount dwarfs anything stolen by internet fraudsters.
While condemning internet fraud is essential, the EFCC must prioritize tackling grand corruption, which has more devastating consequences for the country. The focus should be on holding politicians accountable for their actions, rather than just targeting young people who engage in cybercrime. Only then can we claim to have a truly effective anti-corruption agency.
– Suleiman Lawal
ernesthollowayernest@gmail.com
