Anti-graft: Analyst urges EFCC on evidence over media narratives

A public affairs analyst, Dr. Ephriam Attah, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that its investigations are driven by verifiable evidence rather than media narratives, stressing that corruption cases should be built on facts capable of withstanding judicial scrutiny.

Attah made the call in an interview with journalists on Wednesday while reacting to reports that former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was acquitted of bribery charges by a court in the United Kingdom.

According to him, the outcome of the proceedings underscores the need for anti-corruption agencies to conduct thorough investigations before initiating prosecutions.

He said allegations alone should not be treated as proof of guilt, adding that institutions must rely on credible evidence rather than public opinion or media coverage.

“The fight against corruption is necessary, but it must always be anchored on facts, due process and the rule of law. Media narratives cannot replace evidence before a competent court,” Attah said.

He referred to reports that Alison-Madueke was cleared of six bribery-related charges at Southwark Crown Court after a trial brought by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), saying the development should encourage Nigerian anti-graft agencies to strengthen the quality of their investigations.

The analyst also expressed concern over the reputational damage corruption allegations could inflict on public officials before cases are concluded. He cited former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) executive Bernard Otti, noting that individuals linked to corruption investigations often suffer lasting reputational consequences regardless of the eventual outcome of legal proceedings.

According to Attah, Otti has remained the subject of public criticism following allegations linking him to Alison-Madueke’s administration, despite the need for every allegation to be tested through due process.

He stressed that his comments were not intended to weaken the fight against corruption but to advocate stronger investigative processes that uphold fairness, professionalism and justice.

Turning to Nigeria’s economic reform agenda, Attah said the country should place greater value on preserving institutional knowledge within public institutions, particularly in strategic sectors such as oil and gas.

He argued that professionals such as former NNPC Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts), Bernard Otti, possess decades of institutional experience that could support Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, especially in public financial management and governance.

He said that Otti’s career in the oil sector exposed him to complex financial operations, including budget management, revenue reconciliation, audit compliance, financial reporting and oversight of internal control systems within one of Nigeria’s largest public enterprises.

Attah said such experience would be valuable as the Federal Government pursues fiscal reforms aimed at improving transparency, boosting revenue generation, strengthening state-owned enterprises and enhancing public financial accountability.

He said, “People like Bernard Otti understand how government financial systems work from the inside. His knowledge can help reduce implementation gaps that often undermine well-designed policies and reforms.”

He added that countries implementing difficult economic reforms often rely on experienced technocrats to provide institutional continuity, mentor younger professionals and advise governments on complex financial and governance issues.

According to him, Nigeria has yet to establish a structured framework for engaging retired senior public finance professionals whose expertise could support policy implementation without compromising transparency or accountability.

He said the challenge was not about promoting individuals but about ensuring that decades of institutional experience were not lost after retirement.

He warned that frequent leadership changes and administrative restructuring have weakened institutional memory across many public institutions, making reforms more difficult to implement.

“Nigeria’s economic reform agenda will succeed not only because of new policies but because institutions have the capacity to implement and sustain those policies. That requires a combination of innovation, accountability and experienced professionals who understand the systems from within,” he said.