Dr. Kayode Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, 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.
The Eagle Online recalls that the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has accused officers of demanding bribes.
Olukoyede said the quest for bribes by the agency’s investigators had become “too embarrassing” in his new-year address to the staff of the commission on January 18.
Following the revelation, Ajulo said President Tinubu should set up a task force to look into the activities of corrupt elements in the agency.
He said 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.
The constitutional lawyer also urged Tinubu to look into the merger of the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
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.
Ajulo said: “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.”
Ajulo noted that the EFCC had prioritised high-profile cases and media sensationalism over its core objectives, thereby compromising its ability to diligently pursue and bring to justice the real perpetrators of economic and financial crimes.
He added that it was therefore crucial to critically evaluate the EFCC operations, address shortcomings, and reinforce its commitment to its original purpose.
The legal luminary said it was expedient for the EFCC to restore public trust, enhance transparency, and strengthen its capacity to effectively tackle economic and financial crimes.
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He called for a thorough probe of the circumstances surrounding the alleged pursuit of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, by the EFCC on the alleged $9 billion he purportedly laundered for Diezani Alison-Madueke.
This, he explained, came to the fore while Lawal’s case was pending before the Supreme Court, adding that following his victory in the apex court, the EFCC swiftly shifted its focus to his political rival, former Governor Bello Matawale.
Matawale now serves as the Minister of State for Defence.
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