Uproar in the Senate as New EFCC Chairman Uses Akpabio As Example Of Fraud Case Under Investigation
However, a sudden shift in the room's atmosphere made him pause. "If we are investigating the Senate President, for example..." Olukoyede began, only to be met with a chorus of laughter from the legislators.
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Uproar in the Senate as New EFCC Chairman Uses Akpabio As Example Of Fraud Case Under Investigation
In an unexpected turn of events during the Senate’s screening of Mr. Ola Olukoyede for the position of Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a light-hearted moment ensued that left lawmakers chuckling in the Chamber.
Olukoyede, while presenting his qualifications and approach to investigating corruption cases, mentioned the Senate President as an example.
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However, a sudden shift in the room’s atmosphere made him pause. “If we are investigating the Senate President, for example…” Olukoyede began, only to be met with a chorus of laughter from the legislators.
The laughter reached its peak when Senator Godswill Akpabio, known to have an alleged case of misappropriation of N108.1 billion under investigation by the anti-graft agency, playfully intervened.
Akpabio humorously told the EFCC Chairman-nominee not to use his name as an example in a corruption investigation.
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He quipped, “I’m very glad that the nominee wants to use the Senate President as an example. But Mr. nominee, leave the Senate President for now, look at this direction,” pointing towards the opposition lawmakers’ seats.
After the jovial exchange, Mr. Olukoyede continued his speech without referencing any specific names but highlighted the challenging nature of combating corruption, noting, “If you are fighting corruption, you become the enemy of everybody.”
The investigation of Senator Godswill Akpabio by the EFCC began following a petition from an Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Leo Ekpenyong. The anti-graft agency detained Akpabio over alleged fraud, but the senator has consistently maintained his innocence. As of now, the current status of the case remains unknown.
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The unexpected humor in the Senate Chamber provided a brief respite from the serious business of confirming the new EFCC Chairman, and it certainly added a lighter note to the proceedings for those present.
