The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to redirect its attention to tackling high-profile corruption cases instead of what it described as the unnecessary harassment of social media activists Randy Peter and Mama Pee.
In a statement on Thursday and signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, POMR appealed to the anti-graft agency to concentrate on investigating and prosecuting large-scale financial crimes, arguing that such efforts are more critical to Nigeria’s economic recovery and anti-corruption drive.
The group said it had closely monitored what it termed the “needless harassment” of the two social media commentators and urged the EFCC leadership to avoid being distracted by matters it believes fall outside the agency’s core mandate.
According to POMR, Nigeria’s fight against systemic corruption remains central to the country’s quest for prosperity, making the EFCC a key institution in combating financial crimes.
The organisation, however, expressed concern over what it described as an increasing trend of summoning, interrogating or detaining social media commentators, political activists and online critics over what it called relatively minor or debatable issues.
It argued that every hour devoted to investigating online commentary was time that could be better spent tracing complex networks of public fund diversion, oil theft and other large-scale economic crimes.
POMR further contended that public confidence in the EFCC could be undermined if the agency is perceived as being used to suppress dissent or settle political and social disputes, warning that such perceptions could discourage whistleblowers from supporting anti-corruption efforts.
The statement also maintained that Nigeria is currently facing serious economic challenges driven by institutional financial leakages, inflation, poverty and insecurity, adding that these issues should constitute the agency’s primary focus.
The group therefore urged the EFCC to channel more of its forensic, legal and investigative resources towards prosecuting high-profile financial crimes, public sector embezzlement and economic sabotage.
POMR concluded by calling on the commission to refrain from becoming “a default arbiter for political or social score settlements,” expressing confidence that “a corruption-free Nigeria is possible.”
 has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to redirect its attention to tackling high-profile corruption cases instead of what it described as the unnecessary harassment of social media activists Randy Peter and Mama Pee.){kind=link}