By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Protestors call for Senate’s intervention in EFCC Chairman appointment dispute
Members of the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights gathered at the National Assembly premises in Abuja on Tuesday, urging the Senate to reconsider the appointment of Ola Olukoyede as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They alleged that Olukoyede lacks the necessary qualifications, and accused President Bola Tinubu of disregarding established laws governing such appointments.
Adebayo Ogorry, the National Secretary of the group, led the call for Olukoyede’s removal, emphasizing that the appointment violated the 2004 EFCC Establishment Act. According to the act, the Chairman must be a serving or retired member of a government security or law enforcement agency, holding a rank not lower than Assistant Commissioner of Police, with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience.
The protestors highlighted Section 8 (5) of the EFCC Act, which grants officers enforcing the Act the same powers as members of the Nigerian Police, reinforcing their argument that certain roles within the police force do not inherently possess the necessary experience for this appointment.
Ola Olukoyede, a native of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, born on October 14, 1969, holds educational credentials from reputable institutions including Lagos State University, University of Lagos, Institute of Arbitration in France, and the Kennedy School of Executive Education at Harvard University. With over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant, he is also recognized as a specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence.
Previously, Olukoyede served as Chief of Staff to former acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu, and later as Secretary of the EFCC. He was also a member of the Fraud Advisory Panel in the United Kingdom, further underscoring his expertise in anti-fraud measures.
President Tinubu’s appointment of Olukoyede for a renewable term of four years, pending Senate confirmation, follows the suspension of former EFCC chief, Abdulrasheed Bawa, nearly four months prior. The protestors maintain that adherence to established laws is paramount to ensuring the Commission’s effectiveness and integrity, while averting potential disruptions to Nigeria’s legal framework.