New EFCC Boss Urged to recover looted Nigeria’s billions in foreign banks

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, Osita Okechukwu, has called upon Olanipekun Olukoyede, the newly nominated chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to play a pivotal role in the recovery of billions of dollars that have been looted from Nigeria’s national resources and hidden in foreign banks.

This statement was made in Abuja on Sunday, October 15.

President Bola Tinubu recently nominated Olukoyede as the EFCC chairman, pending Senate confirmation.

Olukoyede has previously held positions as the chief of staff to the EFCC chairman and secretary to the commission between 2016 and 2020.

However, some individuals have expressed concerns about his appointment, arguing that he lacks the 15 years of relevant experience mandated by section 2(a)(ii) of the EFCC establishment law.

In response, Okechukwu, a founding member of the APC and the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, has urged those opposing Olukoyede’s appointment to reconsider.

He believes that Olukoyede’s appointment could mark a significant change in the fight against corruption, given his track record.

Okechukwu acknowledges that it’s not uncommon for controversies to arise after appointing someone to such an important role, especially when it comes to conformity with existing laws.

He calls for restraint, citing Albert Einstein’s famous quote: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

According to Okechukwu, Olukoyede’s appointment is seen as a means to reform and improve the EFCC’s effectiveness, emphasizing that it’s essential to choose an informed insider with the necessary legal expertise to bring about the anticipated reforms.

He urges Olukoyede to steer clear of media trials and instead focus on thorough investigations before exposing criminal suspects.

Okechukwu also encourages the new EFCC chairman to ensure that EFCC agents conduct meticulous investigations to uncover funds looted from Nigeria’s national wealth and hidden in foreign banks.

Okechukwu suggests that Olukoyede’s background in various anti-corruption committees, such as the Technical Committee of the Presidential Advisory Council on Corruption and the Technical Committee on the Repositioning of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, equips him with the knowledge to demand meticulous investigations to trace and recover hidden billions of dollars abroad.

He believes that these recovered funds can help alleviate Nigeria’s economic challenges and debt burden. In conclusion, Okechukwu appeals to Olukoyede’s critics to support him and offer ideas to ensure that the EFCC fulfills its important mandates effectively.