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| Mama Pee and Randy Peter |
The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to prioritize major corruption cases and stop what it calls the “needless harassment” of two social media activists, Randy Peter and Mama Pee.
In a statement signed by POMR spokesman Idris Zekeri Jnr, the group said it has been monitoring the “harassment” of the activists and appealed to the EFCC to avoid diverting time, energy and resources from systemic corruption investigations.
“POMR is concerned that the EFCC’s recent allocation of resources to what appear to be politically charged or low-impact matters risks undermining the commission’s effectiveness,” the statement said. “The EFCC should concentrate on large-scale corruption, asset recovery and cases that cause clear public harm.”
The group warned that pursuing social media commentators could erode public trust, create a chilling effect on civic engagement, and distract investigators from high-value financial crimes. POMR called on the EFCC to ensure transparency and due process in all actions.
The statement added that systemic corruption continues to weaken the naira, degrade public infrastructure and limit opportunities for millions of Nigerians, and stressed that a focused and impartial EFCC is vital to national recovery and growth.
The statement further reads:
“Over the past years, we have seen an increasing trend where social media commentators, political activists, and online critics are repeatedly summoned, interrogated, or detained over relatively minor or highly debatable infractions.
“While the rule of law must apply to everyone, we must ask ourselves: Is this the most impactful use of Nigeria’s premier anti-graft agency?
“When the EFCC prioritises policing digital discourse and tracking down online activists, it inadvertently creates several setbacks for its own mission:
“Every hour spent investigating a viral video or interrogating an outspoken critic is an hour taken away from tracing complex, multi-billion naira networks of institutional graft, oil theft, and public fund diversion.
“The EFCC’s greatest asset is the goodwill of the Nigerian public. When citizens perceive the agency as a tool for stifling political dissent or managing public relations, that vital trust is eroded. A cynical public is less likely to whistle-blow or support anti-graft initiatives.
“Chasing low-hanging fruit on social media might dominate the daily news cycle, but it does little to repair our broken refineries, secure our borders, or restore international investor confidence.
“Nigeria is currently navigating severe economic headwinds. We are grappling with the fallout of massive, institutionalised financial leakages that directly impact inflation, poverty, and national security. This is where the EFCC’s true battlefield lies.
“We therefore respectfully call on the leadership of the EFCC to direct the bulk of forensic, legal, and investigative assets toward prosecuting high-profile financial crimes, public sector embezzlement, and systemic economic sabotage and stop allowing it to be a default arbiter for political or social score settlements. A corruption-free Nigeria is Possible.”
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