The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has directed staff of the Commission to immediately declare their assets in line with civil service regulations and procedures.
Olukoyede issued the directive, described by the Commission as “a bold move towards accountability and internal cleansing”, on Tuesday, 24th October 2023, while addressing senior staff of the Commission at its Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
He emphasized that fighting corruption required those at the vanguard to be above board.
“All of us are going to declare our assets; from level 17, downward. I did mine, so there’s no reason for anyone to be afraid to do the same. Even the Commission Secretary did, you all may also have done it in the past, but there’s a need for all of us to do it again.
“We will declare our assets, and we are going to investigate it. We must live above board by setting the pace with good examples. As anti-corruption fighters, our hands must be clean, so we must declare our assets”, he said.
Olukoyede urged staff of the Commission to place a high premium on fighting economic and financial crimes, as such efforts would not only grow the economy of the nation but would also create a rightful environment for enhanced investment while strengthening the productive base of the economy.
He said their jobs must be done with a view to adding value to the nation’s economy, restoring investors’ confidence, and ensuring that the country is governed in an accountable and transparent manner. These he said, “will offer us a new direction to redeem the image of the nation”.
While charging staff of the Commission to be professional, thorough in their engagements, rich in integrity, and non-partisan, the anti-graft agency’s chief assured staff of a better welfare package, enhanced training, and equal opportunities to ensure higher productivity. He, however, warned “those compromising their works and position to desist from such conduct, as dire consequences await every unsavory tendency”.
He further stressed that adherence to the rule of law would be an article of faith and a defining principle of work.
“ The EFCC is a creation of the law. We must do our job in line with the dictates of the law. This is a standard international practice and we would ensure that it is our established norm”, he said.
