By Jude Opara
A public affairs analyst, Dr Ephriam Attah, has advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to always engage in evidence driven investigations rather than the usual media narratives, adding 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.
He said that the outcome of the proceedings makes it imperative that the anti-corruption agencies should always ensure thorough investigations before initiating prosecutions.
According to him, allegations alone are not enough to rely on as proof of guilt, and that institutions must investigate and secure credible evidence, instead of public opinion or media narratives.
“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,” he said.
Attah 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).
The analyst equally argued that the development should encourage Nigerian anti-graft agencies to strengthen the quality of their investigations to ensure that prosecutions are supported by strong and compelling evidence.
He also expressed concern over the fact that when people are accused of corruption before proper investigations, they usually suffer reputational damage, even when eventually cleared by the court.
Attah gave an example with Bernard Otti who has remained the subject of public criticism following allegations linking him to the administration of Alison-Madueke, despite the need for every allegation to be tested through due process.
However, the analyst 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.
Reacting 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), Otti, possess decades of institutional experience that could be valuable in supporting Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, especially in public financial management and governance.
According to him, Otti’s career in the nation’s 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.
“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 said.
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.
