By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a stern warning to local government chairmen across Nigeria, cautioning them against abusing their newly granted financial autonomy.
Speaking at the Gombe State Local Government Summit on Wednesday, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, stressed that financial independence should not be an avenue for corruption.
He reminded council officials that they do not enjoy constitutional immunity and will face prosecution for mismanaging public funds.
“Only governors and their deputies have immunity. Local government chairmen are fully accountable for how they manage public funds,” Olukoyede declared.
He revealed that, in the past, council funds had been looted, reducing local governments to mere “ATMs for corrupt officials.”
To enforce accountability, the EFCC has deployed additional personnel to Gombe State to monitor the use of funds following the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
Olukoyede urged council officials to prioritize genuine community development, warning that ignorance of the law will not shield them from prosecution.
