Lagos, Nigeria – Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has revealed that he turned down offers worth approximately N500 million during his mother’s funeral in 2019.
Speaking at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja on Thursday, Olukoyede disclosed that the offers came from high-ranking government officials, including ministers, permanent secretaries, and directors, while he was serving as EFCC secretary. He said he rejected the money due to integrity concerns, emphasizing that accepting such funds could have compromised his role in investigating those same individuals.
Olukoyede urged Nigerians to stop supporting individuals facing prosecution for economic and financial crimes, stating that public sympathy for corrupt figures hinders anti-corruption efforts.
“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 reaffirmed his commitment to fighting corruption without fear or favor and called on Nigerians to support leaders with integrity.
Several speakers at the event, which was organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre, the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, ICPC, and EFCC with support from the MacArthur Foundation, echoed the need for a stronger anti-corruption stance.
Kola Shetima and Aminu Salihu of the MacArthur Foundation emphasized that safeguarding Nigeria’s resources is a collective 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, stressed that corruption is not limited to politicians but is also prevalent 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, called for greater citizen involvement in monitoring public funds, suggesting that state governments establish anti-corruption agencies to ensure accountability at the sub-national level.
Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, advocated for transparency and accountability, stating that prevention is the most effective strategy against corruption.
Similarly, Shehu Abdullahi, former Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering (GIABA), warned that corruption robs citizens of their rights and emboldens corrupt officials.
“Youths are the architects of a world without corruption. They must have the courage to demand it,” he stated.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that only a collective and multi-faceted approach can drive meaningful change in Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
