The new chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has said his agenda in the commission will be a clearer and robust pursuit of the mandate of the commission, creation of atmosphere for transparency and accountability and greater emphasis on preventive strategies in the fight against corruption.
He also promised that under his leadership, there will be total adherence to the rule of law in the operations of the agency while assuring staff of better welfare packages.
Olukoyede unveiled his agenda when he assumed office on Thursday, about 24 hours after his appointment was ratified by the Senate.
He promised to re-position and re-focus the Commission for optimal effectiveness.
Olukoye said this at a meeting he held with the management staff at the corporate headquarters of EFCC immediately after he resumed office,
At the meeting, where hand over notes were delivered to him by the former Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, Olukoyede warmed up to the staff and unfolded his agenda of reform and rejuvenation of the works of the Commission.
“We need to address the focus of our mandate. We should use the Commission to drive economic development. Why are we fighting crimes? It is for the system to thrive, for the economy to grow, for the society to get better. Therefore, our focus should be geared towards developing the nation for greater benefits”, he said.
On professionalism, the EFCC’s boss says that, “we are going to drive professionalism in discharging our duties in line with the rule of law. The rule of law is going to be our guiding light. We are going to drive EFCC to a place that when you see EFCC personnel, you will see a touch of professionalism. We are also going to be involved more in prevention, because it is better to save money for the government than to spend money in prosecution”.
He particularly stressed the supremacy of the rule of law in the works of the Commission, pointing out that “the EFCC is a creation of the law. Its Act is a legal instrument. This means that, all our activities should be in line with the rule of law. There is nothing we are going to do that will be at variance with the law”.
He called on staff of the Commission to eschew dichotomies, narrowness and disloyalty to themselves, the EFCC and the nation, stressing that, the Commission is legally equipped to be at the forefront of fighting all shades of economic and financial crimes.
He assured of a level playing field, equal opportunities for career progression and more rewarding welfare package. “My priority is to enhance staff welfare. We will build on what we have done before and there are prospects that we will do better things for every staff of the Commission”.
The Chairman also called for greater commitment to integrity, diligence, industry and visionary drives in the course of professionalism, promising that staff will be treated according to their level of resourcefulness.
Earlier, in his handover speech, former Acting Chairman, Abdulkareem Chukkol, appreciated members of staff and management for their support during his time in office, while congratulating the Chairman on his “well-deserved appointment”.
“Indeed, I found myself privileged to witness history as it unfolds into the new leadership that takes up the affairs of our great institution”, he said.
He particularly thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for trusting him with the leadership of the EFCC in the four months he held sway as an Acting Chairman.
“We are grateful to the President for picking one of us, someone who has invested time and intellect in building the Commission to lead us at this time. Being not new to the system, I have no doubt the Executive Chairman will do well”, he said.
He urged Olukoyede “to strive to preserve and strengthen the reform and processes of the past few years that has brought some professional satisfaction to personnel of the Commission”.
The Chairman later took a facility tour of the corporate headquarters of the Commission.
