By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
As the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) marks the 2024 African Anti-Corruption Day, its Executive Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, has sounded the alarm on the devastating impact of corruption on Nigeria’s growth and development.
Olukoyede, who addressed stakeholders at the Unity Fountain in Abuja to commemorate the Anti-Corruption Day, emphasized that corruption is the next deadliest affliction of humanity, after terrorism. He stressed that the fight against corruption requires absolute commitment to integrity and unfaltering focus.
With a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics revealing that government officials and others received a staggering N721 billion in bribes in 2023, Olukoyede’s call to action is more urgent than ever.
According to Olukoyede, corruption is the next deadliest affliction of humanity, after terrorism. He emphasized that the fight against corruption requires absolute commitment to integrity and unfaltering focus.
“We cannot win the war against corruption through lip service, emotional outburst, or mere mob campaigns,” he stressed.
He added that: “There is a need for commitment, passion, consistency, and credibility of intelligence. Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs.”
Olukoyede’s message is clear: Nigerians must embrace whistleblowing and expose corruption in all its forms.
He praised the Nigeria Labour Congress and civil society organizations for their support in the anti-graft war, and called for more affirmative actions against corruption.
According to him, the EFCC’s efforts to tackle corruption have yielded significant results, with many governors and public officials being prosecuted for their roles in perpetuating the scourge.
However, Olukoyede acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. He emphasized the need for individuals, communities, corporate bodies, and the entire world to join hands in tackling corruption head-on.
Other speakers at the event, including the NLC President, Joe Ajearo, and the Chairperson, Conference of Civil Society and Coordinator Civil Military Co-operation (CIMCO), Adams Otakwu, commended the EFCC for galvanizing Nigerians to stand against corruption.
They emphasized the need for more affirmative actions against corruption and pledged their support for the EFCC’s fight against the scourge.
The survey conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which found that N721 billion was received as bribes by Nigerian public officials in 2023, highlights the urgent need for collective action against corruption.
As Olukoyede said, “We cannot win the war against corruption through lip service, emotional outburst, or mere mob campaigns. There is a need for commitment, passion, consistency, and credibility of intelligence. Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs.”
The EFCC’s efforts to tackle corruption have yielded significant results as attested to by stakeholders in the Nigerian project, and Olukoyede’s leadership and commitment to the fight against corruption are a beacon of hope for the country.
While enumerating the Commission’s achievements under the leadership of Olukoyede earlier this year, EFCC disclosed that it recovered a total of N70,556,658,370.5 between October 2023 and January 19, 2024.
Details of the recovery and achievements recorded by Olukoyede during his first 100 days in office were outlined in an EFCC document titled, ‘Operations and Recoveries’.
The document revealed that in the period under review, the EFCC recovered N60,969,047,634.25, $10,522,778.57, £150,002.10 and €4,119.90, making a total of N70,556,658,370.5.
The anti-graft agency added it received a total of 3,325 petitions, accepted 2,657 of the petitions, and secured the conviction of 747 persons for financial crimes ranging from money laundering to Internet fraud in the same period.
A breakdown of the data revealed that the EFCC headquarters alone recovered N49,607,391,330.44, $3,900,200.75, £2,000, and £110.
The Maiduguri Zonal Command recovered N58,065,870 and $3,370; the Gombe Command recovered N127,323,028.50 and $1,500; while the Kano Command recovered N141,944,451 and $365.
The Makurdi Command recovered N53,228, 325; Enugu Command, N202,117,000; and $1,950; Uyo Command, N25,299,950 and $710; and Port Harcourt Command, N2,412,247,210.05 and $5,714,389.21.
The Sokoto Command recovered the sum of N100,696,118.72; Kaduna Command, N331,494,710.81, $912, £50, and €1,610; Ilorin Command, N80,280,580.86 and $880; Abuja Zonal Command, N825,928,463 and $10,000; and Ibadan Zonal Command, N135,519,810, $14517, £280, and €500.
From the Lagos Zonal Command a recovery of N6,826,993,798.78, $868,284.61, £147,672.10, and €1,899.90 was recorded, while the Benin Zonal Command recovered N49,515,987.09 and $5,700.
For this remarkable feat, Olukoyede recently got a pat on the back from no other person than the highly revered Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, who lauded him on his efforts to rid the nation of economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
The respected Yoruba monarch made his position on the remarkable activities of the Commission known, when the Acting Zonal Director, Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I, Hauwa Garba Ringimm paid him a courtesy in his palace.
According to the Ooni, who described Olukoyede’s anti-corruption efforts as “unequivocal”, he expressed optimism that “the fight against corruption will be won under the leadership of the current chairman due to his total belief in community engagement and effective collaboration among relevant stakeholders who play pivotal roles in combating the menace of corruption.”
Also, the Estu Nupe, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar and Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, have expressed their support for Olukoyede’s fight against financial crimes and other forms of corruption in Nigeria.
The two prominent traditional rulers, who spoke in separate but similar circumstances when they hosted the Acting Zonal Director, Kaduna Zonal Command, DCE Dr. Benedict Ubi and his team, during courtesy visits to the two emirates, appreciated what they termed “the tremendous works the commission is doing for Nigeria”, and urged Olukoyede and his team not to look back but ensure they perform their duties with the fear of God.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of corruption, Olukoyede’s leadership and commitment to the fight against corruption are no doubt a beacon of hope.
His call to action is a reminder that we all have a role to play in creating a corruption-free society. Will you answer the call?
