A Civil Society Organisation, the National Coalition for Protection of Nigeria’s Integrity (NCPNI), has expressed concern over allegations of bribery and case compromise involving Samuel Chime, a suspended prosecutor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The group said the allegations, if proven, could undermine public confidence in the anti-graft agency and raise questions about the integrity of cases handled by the prosecutor.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Shehu Dauda, national coordinator of the coalition, commended Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, for ongoing disciplinary reforms within the commission.
Dauda, however, urged the anti-corruption agency to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations against Chime.
“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 said.
According to the coalition, reports indicated that Chime was suspended following petitions from civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and concerned individuals over alleged misconduct.
Dauda said the EFCC should review all cases handled or influenced by the suspended prosecutor, especially matters where allegations of intimidation, selective prosecution, harassment or abuse of process had been raised.
He argued that such a review would help protect innocent citizens, business owners and defendants who may have been affected by 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 cited the case involving Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac as one of the matters that should be reviewed if it was handled or influenced by any officer facing allegations of misconduct.
Dauda praised Olukoyede for what he described as bold efforts to strengthen accountability and discipline within the EFCC.
He said the commission’s leadership had demonstrated commitment to institutional reforms and internal cleansing.
The coalition, however, maintained that disciplinary action alone would be insufficient if the allegations 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,” he said.
The group also commended whistleblowers and civil society organisations whose petitions reportedly brought attention to the allegations.
It urged the EFCC to strengthen internal monitoring mechanisms, protect complainants and whistleblowers, and ensure that no official is allowed to compromise justice for personal gain.
