The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed the speculations that Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, ordered the probe of Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita.

The anti-graft agency said in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, that the investigation was based on evidence and not on political considerations.

EFCC added that the evidence was triggered by petitions and intelligence.

“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to reports by a section of the media, insinuating that the ongoing investigation of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita by the Commission was instigated by the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari.

“The Commission wishes to state that there is no truth in these claims, and urges the general public to disregard the reports as the handiwork of mischief-makers.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the investigation by the EFCC is evidence-based. Most often, they are triggered by petitions or intelligence. In the case of the HoS, Oyo- Ita’s investigation, it was prompted by intelligence received by the Commission.”

The EFCC according to the statement is an independent agency created by law to fight corruption without fear or favour. In the discharge of its mandate, the Commission does not take instructions from extraneous bodies neither will it lend itself to be used to settle scores by anyone.