A group, League of Patriotic Lawyers, has charged the Senate to expedite confirmation of Ola Olukoyede as new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Its president, Abubakar Yesufu, while addressing journalists yesterday in Lagos, advised the upper legislative chamber to ignore those he described as naysayers.

He said Olukoyede brings onboard ethnic balancing to the leadership of the anti-graft agency. Yesufu highlighted the appointee’s qualifications, training and re-training that made him fit for the job.

He said: “The nomination of Olukoyode by President Bola Tinubu is a breath of fresh air in the commission. We urge the Senate to confirm the appointment immediately.

“With a lawyer at the helm of affairs, the outfit would have a human face. The commission would be well positioned, and taken to the next level. He would ensure that crimes are swiftly detected, thereby avoiding the arduous task of prosecution, conviction and recoveries that are often involved in the beleaguered attempt to sanitise the country of corrupt practices.”

Besides, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has faulted the appointment of chairmen of the EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) from the same region.

During a live programme yesterday, the activist argued that the appointment of Olukoyede and ICPC’s Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN) from the same South West geo-political zone was against the Federal Character principle.

Owasanoye was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He, however, stated that the new EFCC chairman is qualified to head the agency.
His words: “There are no issues. The only issue that has been raised that has to be considered by the government is that we have in this country, the Federal Character Commission Act, and also by the virtue of Section 14 of the Constitution, appointments must reflect Federal Character.”