Ola Olukoyede, the chair of the EFCC, disclosed that the anti-graft agency had been looking into him for two years because of accusations of corruption. Additionally, Mr. Olukoyede disclosed that two EFCC agents had recently been fired for corrupt activities.
Mr. Olukoyede made this revelation on Monday at the start of the Rule of Law Development Foundation’s sixth annual criminal law review conference in Abuja.
The two agents fired two weeks ago and the head of the EFCC would face charges.
“The case files for a few of the individuals we fired are being prepared. Whose goat have I collected if an EFCC employee can’t stand in front of the public with his hands up and confront everyone? I have stolen someone else’s bottle of water.
“I’ve told Nigerians that if they have ever given me even one kobo while I’ve been working, they should come out and tell me so. I am open to challenge. Things like that are difficult for me to be affected by. I will show you the route out if you are a corrupt employee.
Once more, some people could choose to be overly enthusiastic. You have to have Judas out of twelve. I can’t just stand here and claim that everything is ideal. Report as many as you see, and we’ll take appropriate action,” he said.
Mr. Olukoyede claimed that during his time as EFCC secretary, he was once the focus of a two-year inquiry.
“As the chairman of the EFCC, I am not merely sitting there. I’ve been in the opposite position. For the past two years, I have been the target of my own inquiry. So, I understand what it’s like to have someone under investigation. “My main goal is to use this mandate’s instrumentality to boost the economy and uphold the rule of law,” he stated.
He claimed that in order to thrive, even as a lawyer, one must have honesty.
“The law is not what integrity is about. It has nothing to do with your ability to produce elegant briefs for advocacy. No. It has to do with morals and the law. You must be guided by your conscience to act morally. That is the essence of integrity. Lastly, a review of legal practice ethics, values, and standards is also necessary.
“I think these are crucial because the EFCC’s role is to make sure corruption doesn’t exist in our country,” he stated.
Mr. Olukoyede declared that he was in favor of constructive criticism directed at the agency.
