Human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has declared that the appointment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC chairmen from the same geopolitical zone is unlawful and against the Federal Character Principle.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria made the declaration during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme today.
According to Falana, if the chairman of the EFCC is from the northern region, then the chairman of the ICPC should be appointed from the southern region.
The recently appointed chairman of EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede and the ICPC Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye are both from the South-West geopolitical zone.
Condemning Tinubu’s appointment of Olukoyede as EFCC chairman who is also from the South-West just like the current ICPC chairman, Falana said the Federal Character Commission Act and also by the virtue of Section 14 of the constitution, appointments must reflect Federal Character.
You will recall that on October 12, 2023, the President, Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Olukoyede as the new EFCC chairman amid controversies.
Mr Olukoyede’s appointment followed the controversial resignation of embattled ex-EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was suspended on June 14, 2023 and detained by the Department of State Services over allegations of abuse of office.
