President Bola Tinubu has been urged to form a presidential task force by Nigerian Senior Advocate Kayode Ajulo in order to expose corrupt practices by members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Ola Olukoyede, the head of the EFCC, reportedly claimed that some of his officers were accepting bribes from dishonest individuals who were the subject of an investigation.
In his January 18 new year’s speech to the commission personnel, Olukoyede revealed this.
In response to the revelation, Ajulo urged the President to form a task force to expose the corrupt practices within the agency during his Saturday speech to journalists in Abuja. He also stated that the agency tasked with combating corruption ought to be ethical.
He noted that in order for the EFCC to properly carry out its duties, the presidential task force’s mandate would be to remove corrupt personnel from the organization.
Additionally, the senior attorney asked the President to think about combining the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission and the EFCC.
“President Tinubu ought to establish a presidential task team right away, tasked with figuring out who at the EFCC was accepting bribes. A task force is now required because the claim was made by the chairman of the panel, according to Ajulo.
“The vital task of preventing, looking into, and prosecuting financial crimes has long been entrusted to the EFCC,” he continued.
But recent events have called into question the Commission’s operations and emphasis, necessitating a comprehensive review of its efficacy and authority.
“It is unfortunate to see that the EFCC has deviated from its main duties and is instead participating in political posturing.”
He went on to say that the anti-graft agency’s primary goals had been compromised by its preference for high-profile cases and media sensationalism, “compromising its ability to diligently pursue and bring to justice the real perpetrators of economic and financial crimes.”
Ajulo stated that in this regard, it’s critical to assess the EFCC’s activities, correct any flaws, and reaffirm the organization’s dedication to its founding goals.
He said that cooperation between the EFCC’s top brass, pertinent government agencies, the National Security Advisor, the Minister of Defense, civil society organizations, legal professionals, and the media was essential to this process.
The eminent jurist stated that the commission must rebuild public confidence, improve openness, and bolster its ability to combat financial and economic crimes.
