EFCC Chairman Urges Nigerians to Reject Support for Corrupt Individuals
Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the EFCC, has urged Nigerians to avoid supporting corrupt individuals during the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja. He stressed that such actions undermine anti-corruption efforts and emphasized the need for integrity in leadership. Numerous speakers echoed this sentiment, advocating for collective community efforts to tackle corruption at all levels of society.
Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has urged Nigerians to stop supporting individuals accused or convicted of economic crimes. Speaking at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja on February 27, 2025, he highlighted that such support undermines efforts to combat corruption. He stated, “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 problems.”
Olukoyede emphasized the necessity of supporting leaders with integrity to create a corruption-free society. During the event, esteemed speakers, including Dr. Kola Shetima and Dr. Aminu Salihu from the Macarthur Foundation, acknowledged the necessity for collective action against corruption, reminding attendees that Nigeria is a shared wealth that must be protected. They stated, “This is our country and there is nowhere we can go other than this country. We all have to play our parts.”
Dr. Garba Abari, the occasion’s chairman, pointed out that the focus on corrupt politicians often overlooks corruption among civil servants and in the private sector. He urged attention to local governance and expressed appreciation for the EFCC’s ongoing initiatives against corruption. Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, remarked that tackling corruption requires engaging with grassroots communities, encouraging them to hold leaders accountable and monitor budgeting processes.
Akintunde Sawyerr, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, expressed that corruption remains a national threat. He called for enhanced accountability and transparency in government dealings and suggested a preventative approach as being the most effective way to combat graft. Former GIABA Director-General, Professor Shehu Abdullahi, lamented the erosion of people’s freedom due to corruption, advocating for a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to fighting it.
In conclusion, various speakers highlighted the importance of integrity, ethics, and the collective responsibility of Nigerians in combating corruption. They emphasized that the fight against corruption requires action, prevention, and community involvement, noting that youth must be empowered to demand transparency and accountability from their leaders.
The discussions at the Anti-Corruption Situation Room articulated a unified call to action against corruption in Nigeria. Stakeholders underscored the importance of community engagement, accountability, and the role of integrity in leadership. The sentiments reflect a shared commitment to confront corruption comprehensively, emphasizing that a collaborative national effort is essential in sustaining this critical fight.
Original Source: www.efcc.gov.ng
