The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has announced the dismissal of two of its officials over alleged involvement in corruption, as part of the ongoing reforms within the commission.
Speaking on Tuesday at the annual Criminal Law Review Conference organized by the Rule of Law Development Foundation in Abuja, Olukoyede revealed that the officials were dismissed two weeks ago for their misconduct. He emphasized that such actions were part of broader efforts to address corruption within the EFCC itself.
Olukoyede challenged Nigerians to come forward if they had any evidence of him accepting bribes. “Just two weeks ago, I had cause to dismiss two staff. You can’t fight corruption and have dirty hands,” he stated. “He who comes to equity must have clean hands. I will not only dismiss corrupt staff but also prosecute them, as we do with others.”
The EFCC Chairman reiterated his commitment to transparency and accountability, stressing that anyone found guilty of corruption within the commission would be shown the way out. He also acknowledged the reality of imperfect systems but promised to take action against any overzealous staff or misconduct.
Drawing from his own experience, Olukoyede shared that he had been investigated for two years while serving as EFCC’s Secretary, which gave him a unique understanding of the investigation process. He emphasized that his main goal as chairman is to stimulate the economy through his mandate while adhering to the rule of law. He highlighted the importance of integrity, stating that it is about both law and morality.
In his address, Olukoyede also welcomed constructive criticism of the EFCC but urged that such critiques be made responsibly. “Let us scrutinize our institutions responsibly. If EFCC is doing something wrong, come to us, and I will explain the reforms we have put in place,” he said.
He outlined several key reforms, including a review of the EFCC’s arrest and detention policies. Notably, Olukoyede shared that under his leadership, the EFCC no longer engages in excessive charges, limiting prosecution counts to a maximum of 15. He stressed the importance of meticulous case preparation, ensuring that every case the EFCC brings to court is solid and well-documented.
Olukoyede also clarified that no case would proceed to court until he had personally vetted the case files, particularly for high-profile cases. “If we are losing a case, it shouldn’t be due to lack of diligent prosecution,” he added, committing to defending his decisions long after his tenure.
The conference, coordinated by Joseph Daudu, focused on reviewing developments in crime apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, and post-adjudicatory processes. It also coincided with a recent Supreme Court ruling that dismissed a suit filed by 16 states challenging the constitutionality of the EFCC Act.