Presidency, Senate Leadership Lobby Lawmakers Opposed to New Efcc Chairman

Following intense lobbying by the Presidency and the Senate leadership, lawmakers will today screen Olanipekun Olukoyede as the new chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

President Bola Tinubu had, in a letter on Tuesday to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, asked for the clearance of Olukoyede as the anti-graft agency’s boss for a renewable four-year term.

The choice of Olukoyede has, however, elicited objection from some people, who alleged that it breached a section of the Federal Character Commission Act.

But according to The Nation Newspapers today, the Presidency and the Senate leadership swung into action last night to convince Senators opposed to his appointment.

They reportedly informed such senators that the appointment was in line with the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004.

Sources close to the Senate said that Olukoyede, a former secretary of the commission, was invited for the screening after undergoing security clearance.

Meanwhile, members of the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, on Tuesday, stormed the premises of the National Assembly to kick against the choice of Olukoyede as the next EFCC chairman.

The group’s National Secretary, Adebayo Ogorry, during the protest, alleged that the choice of Olukoyede contravened the extant laws guiding the appointment of the EFCC chairman.

Ogorry noted that the President’s action is in flagrant breach of the provisions of the laws of the parliament and is also  contrary to the oath he took on May 29, 2023 to protect and defend the laws of the nation.”