Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has promised to spearhead an all-encompassing, broad-based anti-graft campaign that will not spare anyone connected to any kind of financial or economic crime.
Olukoyede stated that the EFCC would not treat anyone like a sacred cow, as evidenced by the recent arraignment of two former governors.Willie Obiano, a former governor of Anambra State, was charged by the EFCC in January on charges of allegedly stealing N4 billion in security votes from the state between 2014 and 2022.
Similar to this, on February 24, 2024, the anti-graft agency charged Abdulfatah Ahmed, the governor of Kwara State who was immediately gone, with N10 billion in fraud.At an anti-corruption concert in Abuja on Monday, the EFCC Chairman reiterated his commitment to an all-encompassing, fully-integrated fight against corrupt practices. The concert was organized to raise public awareness of cybercrimes.Olukoyede was quoted in a statement released by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale as saying, “We will not spare anyone.”
Megathieves will not escape our punishment. We will work on those at the lower end as well as the mega.”We have charged two former governors in the past two months. Thus, it is untrue that our attention is solely directed towards online scammers.”Internet fraud is terrible enough, of course, but we are more interested in financial and economic crimes in general.”
He warned young people not to engage in cybercrimes, emphasizing the serious repercussions of being found guilty of them.”Youths must understand that having a criminal record limits their options for employment. In addition to being prohibited from holding public office, ex-offenders face a horrendous stigma. I strongly advise you to stay away from online crimes at all costs. “Any short-term gains from such crimes are not as important as your future,” he stated.
The EFCC, which was overseen by Olukoyede, expressed a strong desire to provide youths with a bright and sustainable future. In light of this, he announced that the EFCC Academy was developing a Cybercrime Research Center.
Youths will participate in in-depth research on the problem of cybercrime at the center. Their efforts will be focused on lucrative endeavors, he declared.
Olukoyede urged the young people to embrace diligence and hard work, emphasizing that hard work and dignity were the keys to success. “Working is a noble endeavor. Come together, let’s. We have to unite and acknowledge the evil nature of corruption. Do not let the EFCC handle this battle alone, he urged.
Ayodele Olawande, the minister of state for youth development, urged young people nationwide to assist the EFCC in its fight against financial and economic crimes as well as other forms of corruption.Nigeria ought to have advanced further than this. We must unite to combat this evil in our society because we will not allow dishonest people to ruin our future.
I firmly believe that each of us has a role to play, which is why we must continue this campaign. The EFCC cannot do much or anything without you.The minister declared, “Let us show the world that Nigeria’s youth are determined to change the narrative.”