Nigerians Kick Against Appointment of Olukoyede as EFCC Chairman by Tinubu, Cite Illegality

Nigerians Kick Against Appointment of Olukoyede as EFCC Chairman by Tinubu, Cite Illegality

 

In a move that has stirred controversy and garnered widespread criticism, President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been vehemently denounced by Nigerians who question its legality and suitability.

 

BREAKING: Tinubu Appoints New EFCC Chairman

 

The appointment, announced in a statement signed and issued by Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s spokesperson, was defended on the grounds that it adheres to the law as established in section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

 

 

This section explicitly states that “the Chairman and members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the President.”

 

This appointment comes on the heels of the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, and, according to Ngelale, is intended to last for four years. However, the contentious nature of this appointment stems from its alleged violation of the EFCC Act, as argued by a concerned Nigerian who chose to remain anonymous.

 

The concerned Nigerian who chose not to be mentioned in the print argument against Olukoyede’s appointment can be summarized into three key points as stipulated by Section 2 of the EFCC Act:

 

He wrote:

“The appointment of Olukayode as EFCC Chairman by PBAT is unlawful and illegal. It runs foul of the provisions of Section 2 of the EFCC ACT, which requires that the person to be appointed as EFCC Chairman must, amongst other things, have:

• He has been a serving or retired member of any security or law enforcement agency,

• He must have 15 years of cognate experience of law enforcement and

• He must not be below the rank of assistant commissioner of police

Olukayode is a private legal practitioner and has never worked or belonged to any security or law enforcement agency as a member

 

He does not have 15 years of cognate experience as a law enforcement officer and

His private legal practice years can not be equated to the rank in law enforcement. Not enough attending seminal courses as a private legal practitioner can equate to 15 years of cognate experience contemplated by section 2 of the Act.

HE ONLY HAS A STINT AS CHIEF OF STAFF OF MAGU AND LATER BECAME A SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION, ALL OF WHICH LAST FOR LESS THAN 6 YEARS

“This government never ceases to amaze Nigerians. Who knows, maybe he is being appointed for a mission. God help NIgeria”

 

The anonymous critic further highlighted that Olukoyede’s previous roles as Chief of Staff to Ibrahim Magu and later as a secretary of the Commission, both of which lasted less than six years, do not adequately compensate for the glaring gaps in his qualifications.

 

The outcry over this appointment has intensified as Nigerians express concerns about the government’s motives, with some speculating that Olukoyede might be appointed for a specific agenda. The general sentiment among the critics is one of dismay and skepticism about the direction in which the EFCC, a vital institution for combating financial crimes, is heading under Olukoyede’s leadership

 

As the controversy unfolds, Nigerians continue to demand transparency and adherence to the rule of law in appointments to key positions of authority, emphasizing the importance of selecting candidates with the appropriate qualifications and experience to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them.