By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to concentrate on investigating high-profile corruption cases rather than pursuing social media activists, expressing concern over what it described as the needless harassment of two online commentators, Randy Peter and Mama Pee.

The appeal was contained in a statement signed by POMR Spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, who urged the anti-graft agency to channel its resources towards tackling systemic corruption. According to the statement, “the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), having closely monitored the needless harassment of two social media activists, Randy Peter and Mama Pee, wishes to appeal to the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop distracting themselves from the task of corruption cases littered all over the place.” It added that “it is precisely because the EFCC’s success is so vital to Nigeria’s survival that we must raise a constructive concern regarding the commission’s recent allocation of time, energy, and resources to needless issues.” POMR further urged the Commission to “direct the bulk of forensic, legal, and investigative assets toward prosecuting high-profile financial crimes, public sector embezzlement, and systemic economic sabotage.”

The group said while the rule of law should apply to every Nigerian, the country’s foremost anti-corruption agency should prioritise offences with greater economic implications.

It argued that increasing attention on social media commentators and political activists could divert the Commission from addressing complex financial crimes.

According to POMR, “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 organisation also warned that public confidence in the EFCC could be weakened if Nigerians perceive the agency as targeting critics instead of focusing on its statutory anti-corruption mandate.

It stated that "the EFCC's greatest asset is the goodwill of the Nigerian public,” adding that “when citizens perceive the agency as a tool for stifling political dissent or managing public relations, that vital trust is eroded.”

POMR further maintained that devoting significant resources to social media-related investigations would do little to address Nigeria’s broader economic challenges.

“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,” the statement said.

The group urged the anti-graft agency to focus on combating institutional corruption and economic crimes, insisting that such an approach would better serve the country's anti-corruption objectives and economic recovery.