Joseph Bakare
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has declared that the November 15, 2024 Supreme Court’s judgment that thrashed the suit of 19 state Governors challenging the constitutionality of the establishment and functioning of the EFCC, has placed the Commission in a stronger pedestal to fight economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
Olukoyede stated this in Abuja on Thursday, November 21, 2024 when a delegation of International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), led by its Regional Director for Africa and West Asia, Dr. Roba Sharamo paid him a courtesy visit.
According to him, “I want to let you know that we are more solid now than ever before. You are aware that 19 governors took us to court. They went to court and the judgment that was given makes us stronger than ever before. The Supreme Court Justices gave it to them, reminded them that the Supreme Court has spoken on this matter and given judgment. So why are you wasting your states’
“Number one, they said that the EFCC has power over federal agencies, state agencies and local government agencies. Number two, they said, where the EFCC is working, it has the right to cover the field. It is what we call the doctrine of covering the field in Nigeria. It’s a legal doctrine. It’s a principle that says that where a federal agency has covered the field, no state or local government agency has the right to compete with it. In other words, wherever the EFCC is operating, state or local government agencies don’t even have the power to meddle.
“So, I have told my men that the ball is in our court, now. You can investigate even a serving governor. So, go ahead, investigate their finances and their activities. The only thing you can’t do is prosecute. You have to wait until they leave office when they don’t have immunity anymore. They also warned the people who have been using the instrumentality of the state to shield themselves from justice to desist from it. The Supreme Court has spoken, and it has a big impact. We are going out to work without any further inhibition”, he said.
The EFCC boss appreciated the partnership of IDEA with the Commission, stressing that the international development partner has been impactful, functional and reliable. “We appreciate your impact and the partnership has come to stay”, he said. He identified some critical areas where the Commission needed more support, stressing that the volume of work of the EFCC and the new framework it is working on require stronger collaboration with IDEA.
Earlier in his remark, Sharamo expressed confidence in and satisfaction with the Commission’s anti-corruption drives, especially in the area of asset recovery, noting that IDEA has been a longstanding strategic partner of the EFCC. He also stressed that the visit was motivated by the need to explore more areas of need and support for the Commission.
“I want to really appreciate the work that we do together and I think it’s always very encouraging when you have a partnership that is visible and vibrant. The programme that we run will only be very useful if it reflects your priorities; if it really integrates your priorities into the design of the projects. So we are basically there for you. I want you to consider us as an extension of your team. The aspect around asset recovery will continue to be a challenge, because people will say, people have stolen money, how much have we recovered? So, besides the asset recovery interventions that you have, maybe there are areas you feel we can be useful with a programme to help you. There could be more areas that we can be very useful and support you to deliver on your mandate.”
Sharamo applauded EFCC’s anti-corruption fight, noting that it was critical in achieving meaningful human development indices in the country. “Fighting corruption and ensuring that the much needed development resources are directed to the areas that they actually need to go, especially for human security, poverty alleviation and all that is critical.”
IDEA is an international inter-governmental institution, committed to promoting democracy and good governance with a global member state of 35 countries, out of which eight are from Africa, namely, Ghana, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, Benin, Cape Verde and Tunisia. Nigeria is yet to enlist.