Senior Advocate Urges Task Force on Corruption in EFCC, Calls for Review and Possible Merger with ICPC

Kayode Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently set up a presidential task force to identify corrupt officers in the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC.

Mr Ajulo made the call in Abuja on Saturday against the backdrop of the claim by Ola Olukoyede, chairman, EFCC, that the quest for bribes by the agency’s investigators had become “too embarrassing”.

Mr Olukoyede had disclosed this in his new-year address to the staff of the commission on January 18.

Mr Ajulo, however, said the president should set up a task force to look into the activities of corrupt elements in the agency.

He added that an agency saddled with fighting corruption should be above board, adding that it was apparent that the commission could not self-clean.
He noted that the main task of the presidential task force would be to weed out corrupt elements of the commission, to allow it function effectively.

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The constitutional lawyer also urged Tinubu to look into the merger of the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC.

According to him, the EFCC should either be merged with the ICPC or the president sets up a task force to look into the activities of corrupt officers in the anti graft agency.

“The EFCC has long been entrusted with the critical responsibility of preventing, investigating, and prosecuting financial crimes.

“However, recent developments have raised concerns about the commission’s focus and operations, warranting a thorough reassessment of its mandate and effectiveness.

“Regrettably, it appears that the EFCC has strayed from its primary functions, engaging in what can be described as political posturing.”