The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, delivered a stern warning to Local Government (LG) chairmen across Nigeria, emphasizing that no one is exempt from investigation or prosecution for corrupt practices. Speaking at the Gombe State LG Summit on Wednesday, Olukoyede made it clear that his agency is committed to holding local government officials accountable.
“Local government chairmen do not have immunity, and we are not going to wait until you finish your tenure to come after you,” Olukoyede stated firmly during his speech. His words reflected a no-nonsense approach to tackling corruption at the local government level, signaling that officials should not assume they are untouchable during or after their terms.
The EFCC chairman further expressed his concern over the lack of tangible results from local government resources, criticizing the inability of many councils to drive growth or make a visible impact on the lives of the citizens they serve. Instead, Olukoyede described some councils as mere “caricatures” of what they should be, lamenting that local governments have failed to meet their potential in improving communities.
To combat this problem, Olukoyede called for the establishment of compliance units within local governments. These units would monitor the allocation and usage of resources, ensuring that funds are used properly and that projects are completed efficiently. By doing so, local government chairmen would be able to better manage resources and demonstrate accountability to the citizens they represent.
In an effort to enhance the EFCC’s oversight, Olukoyede also announced the creation of a Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) department. This department is designed to track the use of increased funds allocated to local governments from the federation account, ensuring that they are not misappropriated or diverted for personal gain.
The EFCC’s expanded monitoring efforts are part of a broader strategy to address endemic corruption within Nigeria’s local government systems. Olukoyede made it clear that his agency will not hesitate to visit local government offices, sometimes at unusual hours, to ensure compliance with financial regulations and transparency standards.
Concluding his remarks, Olukoyede issued a final warning to local government officials: “EFCC will be paying you visits occasionally to monitor how you are using the funds. We will come in the evening. Sometimes you may even be seeing us in your dreams.”
