The Body of State Attorneys-General of Nigeria has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede for his forward-looking and developmental approaches to the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
This applause was given in Abuja on Thursday, July 25, 2024 by Chairman of the Body, Dr. Ben Odoh who led other Attorneys-General of the 36 States to the corporate headquarters of the EFCC on a courtesy visit. Odoh pointed out that the appointment of Olukoyede came with vast experience as a notable anti-graft fighter and lauded his new-fangled initiatives geared towards deepening the fight against corruption. “ We have carefully noticed the strategies you marshalled out to bequeath a crime-free environment in Nigeria. You have steered a transformative course in the fight against corruption and we commend you sincerely Mr. Chairman”, he said.
He assured the EFCC’s boss of the cooperation and collaboration of the Attorneys-General stating that the Body of the law officers of the states would always offer useful advice that would facilitate and complement the works of the Commission to tackle economic and financial crimes frontally. He congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his choice of Olukoyede as the nation’s foremost anti-corruption fighter. “We congratulate the President for making the right choice”, he said.
Oboh raised some issues bordering on the need to strengthen the anti-graft war, especially in the areas of clarifying offences in letters of invitation to suspects, consolidating investigations to avoid duplication of works, according special recognition to suspects that honour invitations voluntarily, among other issues.
He stressed that the visit of the Attorneys-General to the EFCC underscored the respect they have for the Commission. “We are willing to help you fight corruption. We came here as a Body that is ready to cooperate and collaborate with the Commission in the fight against corruption”, he said.
Responding, Olukoyede appreciated the law officers for their visit and charged them to always advise their governors and state officials rightly on issues that pertain to accountable conducts. “Holders of public office would one day be called upon to account for their stewardship. Let us advise our governors and state officials on proper things to do all the time”, he said.
He explained that the EFCC under his watch is law-abiding. To underscore this, he pointed at the review of bail and arrest guidelines that is already in place across all the Zonal Commands of the Commission, including the corporate headquarters. He stated that letters of invitation to suspects are always written in line with global best practices based on the course investigations may take. He also assured that cases are being consolidated in all the Commands to avoid any duplication.
“At the EFCC, we don’t lock people up anyhow. Our respect for court orders is total and there are standing orders not to criminalise civil cases”, he said. He called for enhanced engagement and responsible conduct in public office. “It is important for us to engage from time to time. We have got to a point where we have to decide whether to move forward or not. I believe we all agree that there is a need to fight corruption and move forward”, he said.
