The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Ola Olukoyede and Mohammed Hamajoda as the Chairman and Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), respectively.
Olukoyede was named acting chairman of the EFCC months after Abdulrasheed Bawa, former boss of the anti-graft agency, was suspended by the president. During the screening and confirmation, Olukoyede highlighted that several Nigeria’s institutions and systems had been overwhelmed by financial crisis and committed to putting a stop to it without fear or favor and in accordance with the law. He added that he will prioritise prevention over enforcement.
As previously reported earlier by Parallel Facts, Mr. Olukoyede did not meet the criteria set by the EFCC Act. Nevertheless, the Presidency maintained that the 54-year-old native of Ekiti State was eligible for the position. Despite being a lawyer, Mr. Olukoyede lacks experience in any security or law enforcement field.
The Senate, which is responsible for enforcing laws, overlooked the EFCC Act and its prerequisites for the chairmanship role. Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed Mr. Olukoyede and Mr. Hammajoda after a voice vote by senators at the plenary.
President Tinubu’s request for the confirmation of Mr. Olukoyede as Chairman and Mr. Hammajoda as Secretary of EFCC was presented at the plenary on Tuesday by the Senate President and was referred to the Committee of the Whole for review. The nominees were questioned by senators at the Committee of the Whole about their plans to enhance corruption prevention at the anti-graft agency, after which they were screened and cleared.
Mr. Olukoyede’s appointment comes just four months after Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former chairman of the anti-graft agency, was suspended.
The newly confirmed officials are expected to assume office immediately.