EFCC boss urges Nigerians to refrain from protests against anti-graft agencies — News — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

• Claims he rejected N500m from corrupt individuals during mother’s burial

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerians to refrain from protests against the commission and other anti-corruption agencies.  Olukoyede said such actions could undermine the fight against corruption.

The EFCC boss made the call yesterday in Abuja at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR) Conference of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) resource centre.  
   
The event themed, “Ethics, Integrity, Corruption Risk Assessments, and Anti-Corruption at National and Sub-National Levels in Nigeria: Sustaining the Fight Against Corruption,” was convened to engage stakeholders in responding to the country’s recent corruption perception rating, addressing the pervasive issues of corruption and impunity, and fostering a culture of ethical respect, integrity, and accountability at all levels of governance.
    
Olukoyede stressed that corruption remains a major obstacle to Nigeria’s development, urging Nigerians to support law enforcement agencies in their efforts to hold corrupt persons accountable.
   
He said: “The fight against corruption is for everyone. When you see people being investigated, and we have shown you the evidence, don’t join them to carry placards and abuse EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), because you are contributing to the problems.”  Olukoyede pointed out that governance should not be seen as an opportunity to accumulate wealth but as a serious responsibility.

  
Speaking, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, challenged anti-corruption agencies to go beyond prosecuting financial crimes in the courts and actively engage citizens in the fight against the menace.
    
Falana, who noted that corruption must be framed in ways that resonate with ordinary Nigerians, maintained that it is not enough to tell people not to celebrate those facing corruption charges. He stressed that it must be taken further by engaging and educating Nigerians, especially at the grassroots, on the direct impact of corruption on their lives.He also decried the growing trend of orchestrated public protests in defence of corruption suspects.
  
The EFCC boss also disclosed that he turned down offers of about N500 million from various individuals during his mother’s funeral in 2019.  He explained that the substantial gifts, which included cheques and drafts, were sent to him by ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, and other high-ranking officials. At the time, Olukoyede was serving as the EFCC Secretary. 

He recounted that upon his return to his family home in Ekiti State, where the funeral was held, he discovered numerous cheques in a carton. After reviewing the cheques, which amounted to nearly N500 million, he decided to return them. Reflecting on the situation, Olukoyede expressed concern about the potential consequences if he had deposited the cheques into his account, particularly given his role in investigating the individuals who had sent them.