Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), revealed a remarkable achievement of recovering N60 billion and $10 million within just four months since assuming office. This news was reported by Daily Trust.
Speaking at the 20th-anniversary lecture of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resources Centre (HEDA) in Lagos, Olukoyede shared that the EFCC had received over 5,000 fraud petitions, and 3,000 of them had been approved for investigation.
Expressing the challenges faced by the agency, Olukoyede emphasized the need for collective responsibility in the fight against corruption. He stated, “When you see something, you say something,” highlighting the importance of public support.
In less than four months, the EFCC, with a staff strength of less than 4,800, achieved convictions in 700 cases, showcasing their commitment to the anti-corruption cause. Olukoyede underscored the immense task at hand, noting that despite the recoveries, a significant amount, possibly a trillion, had been stolen.
The EFCC chairman called for Nigerians to actively support the anti-corruption efforts, emphasizing the importance of an effective policing system with integrity. Meanwhile, the President, Bola Tinubu, appointed Olukoyede as the EFCC chairman on October 12, 2023, succeeding Abdurasheed Bawa.
In a recent development, Olukoyede had previously addressed corruption within the EFCC, warning officials against taking bribes and emphasizing the need for a clean and accountable organization. The call for public cooperation and the notable achievements in recovering stolen funds mark a significant stride in the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria.
