Olukoyede urges Nigerians to refrain from protests against EFCC, others

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerians to desist from staging protests against the commission and other anti-corruption agencies.

Olukoyede said such actions could undermine the fight against corruption.

The EFCC boss made the call at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR) Conference of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA, resource center on Thursday in Abuja.

The event themed “Ethics, Integrity, Corruption Risk Assessments, and Anti-Corruption at National and Sub-National Levels in Nigeria: Sustaining the Fight Against Corruption” was convened to engage stakeholders in responding to the country’s recent corruption perception rating, addressing the pervasive issues of corruption and impunity, and fostering a culture of ethical respect, integrity, and accountability at all levels of governance.

Olukoyede stressed that corruption remains a major obstacle to Nigeria’s development while urging Nigerians to support law enforcement agencies in their efforts to hold corrupt persons accountable.

He said, “Gentlemen, I would like to give you an indulgence. The fight against corruption is for everyone. When you see people being investigated and we have shown you the evidence, don’t join them to carry placards and abuse EFCC, ICPC, and because you are contributing to the problems.

“If the person is your brother, call a spade a spade. Even if you have benefited before, now we have disclosed to you, your eyes are open to the fact that this is a corrupt person, it is an abattoir to our development. All of us must fight this together.”

Olukoyede pointed out that governance should not be seen as an opportunity to accumulate wealth but as a serious responsibility.

Speaking, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) challenged anti-corruption agencies to go beyond prosecuting financial crimes in the courts and actively engage citizens in the fight against the menace.

Falana, who noted that corruption must be framed in ways that resonate with ordinary Nigerians, maintained that “it is not enough to tell people not to celebrate those facing corruption charges but we must take it further by engaging and educating Nigerians, especially at the grassroots, on the direct impact of corruption on their lives.”

He also decried the growing trend of orchestrated public protests in defense of corruption suspects.