THE Peter Obi Media Reach, POMR, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to concentrate it’s efforts towards investigating and prosecuting high profile financial crimes and public sector embezzlement, instead of harassing social media activists such as Randy Peter and Mama Pee.
POMR in a statement by its spokesman Idris Zekeri jnr, regrets that the anti-graft agency has allocated precious time, energy and resources to needless issues, citing the repeated summoning, interrogation and detention of social media commentators, political activists, and online critics by the commission.
The group urged the EFCC to stop distracting itself from the task of dealing with corruption cases littered all over the country.
The statement made available to SummitNews reads: “Having closely monitored the needless harassment of two social media activists, Randy Peter and Mama Pee, we wish to appeal to the Leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop distracting themselves from the task of corruption cases littered all over the place.
​”As Nigerians, we watch the trajectory of our country with a mixture of hope and anxiety. At the heart of our collective struggle for a prosperous nation is the fight against systemic corruption—a cancer that continues to devalue our currency, cripple public infrastructure, and limit the potential of millions.
“In this struggle, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) remains a crucial pillar.”
​”It is precisely because the EFCC’s success is so vital to Nigeria’s survival that we must raise a constructive concern regarding the commission’s recent allocation of time, energy, and resources to needless issues.
​”Over the past years, we have seen an increasing trend where social media commentators, political activists, and online critics are repeatedly summoned, interrogated, or detained over relatively minor or highly debatable infractions.
“While the rule of law must apply to everyone, we must ask ourselves: Is this the most impactful use of Nigeria’s premier anti-graft agency?
​”When the EFCC prioritises policing digital discourse and tracking down online activists, it inadvertently creates several setbacks for its own mission:”
POMR warns EFCC that “every hour spent investigating a viral video or interrogating an outspoken critic is an hour taken away from tracing complex, multi-billion naira networks of institutional graft, oil theft, and public fund diversion”.
According to the statement, adding EFCC’s greatest asset is the goodwill of the Nigerian public, adding that “when citizens perceive the agency as a tool for stifling political dissent or managing public relations, that vital trust is eroded. A cynical public is less likely to whistle-blow or support anti-graft initiatives.”
The statement continued: “Chasing low-hanging fruit on social media might dominate the daily news cycle, but it does little to repair our broken refineries, secure our borders, or restore international investor confidence.
​”Nigeria is currently navigating severe economic headwinds. We are grappling with the fallout of massive, institutionalised financial leakages that directly impact inflation, poverty, and national security. This is where the EFCC’s true battlefield lies.
​”We therefore respectfully call on the leadership of the EFCC to direct the bulk of forensic, legal, and investigative assets toward prosecuting high-profile financial crimes, public sector embezzlement, and systemic economic sabotage. And stop allowing it to be a default arbiter for political or social score settlements,” noting that that a corruption-free Nigeria is Possible.”
