EFCC boss bemoans support for corrupt individuals in Nigerians

Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has called on Nigerians to refrain from offering any form of support to individuals facing prosecution for economic and financial crimes.

Speaking at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR) organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) in Abuja, Olukoyede emphasized that backing corrupt individuals undermines the fight against corruption.

“I urge you that when you see people whom we are prosecuting and we have shown you the evidence, don’t carry placards, don’t join them to fight us, because you are contributing to the problem. If we must fight this cankerworm, then all of these must stop,” he stated.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to support leaders with integrity, vowing that his administration would continue the anti-corruption fight without fear or favor.

Several other speakers at the event echoed the call for a more aggressive anti-corruption stance.  Kola Shetima and Aminu Salihu of the MacArthur Foundation emphasized that protecting Nigeria’s resources is a shared responsibility.

“This country is our commonwealth, and we all have a stake in it. The fight against corruption is about the material conditions of the people, and we must all work together to achieve our goals,” they noted.

Garba Abari, who chaired the event, criticized the focus on politically exposed persons, arguing that corruption also thrives in the civil service and private sector.

“There’s so much corruption in public service and the banking sector. We need to pay attention to the local government level and ensure autonomy to curb corruption at the grassroots,” he said.

Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, urged authorities to engage the grassroots, stressing that corruption cannot be tackled effectively without the involvement of the people.

“We must ensure that funds meant for the people are judiciously used. Citizens should be sensitized, carried along, and able to monitor their budgets. State governments should also establish anti-corruption agencies to checkmate corruption at their level,” he suggested.

Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund,  advocated for accountability and transparency, emphasizing that prevention is the most effective anti-corruption strategy.

Shehu Abdullahi, former Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering (GIABA), argued that corruption robs people of their freedom and emboldens corrupt officials.

He called for an evidence-based, transparent, and non-partisan approach to fighting graft.

“Youths are the architects of a world without corruption. They must have the courage to demand it,” Abdullahi stated. Stakeholders agree that only a united, multi-faceted approach can drive meaningful change.