By Patrick Idowu
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, announced on Monday that two of the agency’s staff members were recently dismissed over allegations of corruption.
Olukoyede made this disclosure during the opening of the 6th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference organized by the Rule of Law Development Foundation in Abuja.
The five-day event, titled “Optimising the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria: How to Navigate Emerging and Systemic Challenges of Insecurity and Economic Hardship,” is designed to address pressing issues in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
Olukoyede revealed that the two officials were dismissed two weeks ago, emphasizing that disciplinary actions would not stop at dismissal.
“In addition to dismissal, erring staff will also face prosecution. You cannot fight corruption with dirty hands.
“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands, and I will not only dismiss corrupt staff but will prosecute them, as we do with others,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman also stressed that reforms were ongoing within the commission. “We are preparing the case files of some of those we have dismissed,” he added.
Olukoyede further declared that any EFCC staff caught engaging in corrupt practices would be shown the door.
“If an EFCC staff cannot stand in front of the public and proudly state that they have never taken bribes, then they have no place here,” he said.
Olukoyede shared his personal experience, noting that he himself had been subjected to an investigation for two years when he served as EFCC secretary.
“I know what it means to undergo investigation. My major objective is to use the power of this mandate to stimulate the economy and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
The EFCC chairman also underscored the importance of integrity in legal practice. “Integrity is not about the law alone or your ability to write beautiful briefs. It is about law, morality, and your conscience. To survive in this profession, you must be committed to doing the right thing,” Olukoyede stated.
He called for a review of the ethics, values, and standards of legal practice, particularly in the fight against corruption. “The EFCC’s job is to ensure that corruption has no place in our national life,” he said.
Olukoyede expressed openness to constructive criticism of the EFCC but urged that it be done responsibly. “I welcome feedback, but let it be done in a way that builds, not tears down. If you notice any wrongdoing, come to us. We will engage and explain our reforms,” he said.
The EFCC chairman also outlined several reforms implemented since his resumption of office, including the review of arrest and detention policies.
He highlighted a case where his team investigated a ministry and its officials without detaining anyone overnight, ensuring that the investigation proceeded smoothly.
“The era of hundreds of charges in a single case is gone. We now limit prosecutions to a maximum of 15 charges per case. I personally vet high-profile cases to ensure they are ironclad before proceeding to court,” he said.
Olukoyede assured that EFCC prosecutions would not fail due to lack of diligent preparation. “If we lose a case, it will not be because of insufficient evidence or weak prosecution,” he said, emphasizing that he would stand behind the cases handled by the EFCC, even long after his tenure.
Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation, Mr. Joseph Daudu also spoke at the conference, noting that the event, now in its sixth year, provides a vital platform for reviewing developments in crime apprehension, prosecution, and the criminal justice system.
