A Civil Society Organisation, the National Coalition for Protection of Nigeria’s Integrity (NCPNI), has raised serious concerns over allegations of bribery, abuse of office and case compromise involving suspended Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, Samuel Chime.
The coalition warned that the allegations, if proven to be true, could damage public trust in the EFCC and cast doubt on the credibility of several cases previously handled by the prosecutor.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the coalition, Shehu Dauda, commended the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for ongoing efforts aimed at sanitising the anti-graft agency and strengthening internal disciplinary mechanisms.
However, Dauda stressed that the allegations against Chime were too serious to be ignored or treated lightly, urging the commission to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter.
“The allegations against Samuel Chime are too grave to be swept under the carpet. When a prosecutor in an anti-corruption agency is accused of taking financial inducements, compromising cases and abusing prosecutorial powers, the credibility of every case handled by such an officer becomes a matter of public concern,” he stated.
According to the coalition, available reports indicate that Chime was suspended following petitions submitted by civil society groups, non-governmental organisations and concerned citizens over alleged acts of misconduct and abuse of office.
The organisation further called on the EFCC leadership to conduct a comprehensive review of all cases handled, supervised or influenced by the suspended prosecutor, particularly matters where claims of intimidation, selective prosecution, harassment or abuse of legal process had previously been raised.
Dauda argued that reopening such cases where necessary would help ensure justice for individuals and businesses that may have suffered from compromised prosecutorial conduct.
“The issue is bigger than Samuel Chime as an individual. It is about the integrity of the cases he handled and the people who may have suffered from abuse of power. If a prosecutor is accused of selling justice, then justice demands that his files must be reopened and reviewed,” he said.
The coalition specifically mentioned the case involving Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac as one of the matters that should be revisited if investigations reveal that it was handled or influenced by any official facing allegations of misconduct.
Dauda also praised EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede for what he described as bold and necessary reforms targeted at improving accountability, discipline and transparency within the anti-corruption agency.
According to him, the current EFCC leadership has shown commitment toward institutional cleansing and restoring public confidence in the commission.
Despite the commendation, the coalition insisted that administrative sanctions alone would not be enough if the allegations against the suspended prosecutor are substantiated.
“If the allegations are established, there must be prosecution, case review, institutional correction and justice for those who may have been affected by his alleged misconduct,” Dauda added.
The organisation also applauded whistleblowers and civil society actors whose petitions reportedly exposed the allegations, describing them as critical partners in the fight against corruption and abuse of power.
It further urged the EFCC to strengthen its internal monitoring and oversight mechanisms, provide protection for whistleblowers and complainants, and ensure that no official within the agency is allowed to compromise justice for personal benefit.
The coalition maintained that restoring trust in Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions requires accountability at all levels and a willingness to investigate even those entrusted with prosecuting corruption cases.
