A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Kayode Ajulo has called on President Bola Tinubu to set up a presidential taskforce to identify corrupt officers among the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and other anti-corruption agencies.
The constitutional lawyer also urged Tinubu to look into the merger of the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses (ICPC).
According to him, the EFCC should either be merged with the ICPC or the president should send up a task-force to look into the activities of corrupt officers in the agency.
Ajulo stated this yesterday in Abuja against the backdrop of the claim by Mr Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Commission, that the quest for bribes by the agency’s investigators has become “too embarrassing.”
Olukoyede had disclosed this in his new-year address to the staff of the commission on January 18.
Ajulo, however, said that the president should set up a taskforce to look into the activities of corrupt elements in the agency, adding that an agency saddled with fighting corruption should be above board and its apparent that the Commission cannot self-clean itself.
He said the main task of the presidential taskforce would be to wield our corrupt elements in its fold to allow for the agency to function effectively.
“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. He said the EFCC had prioritised high-profile cases and media sensationalism over its core objectives, compromising its ability to diligently pursue and bring to justice the real perpetrators of economic and financial crimes.”
It was crucial to critically evaluate the EFCC operations, address shortcomings, and reinforce its commitment to its original purpose.
He said this process necessitated collaboration between the EFCC’s leadership, relevant government bodies, National Security Adviser, Minister of Defence, Civil society organisations, legal experts and the media.
