See Expression As New EFCC Boss Under Screening Uses Senate President, Akpabio As Illustration of Fraud Case Under Investigation

There was a mild drama in the Senate on Wednesday during the screening of Mr Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Olukoyede, had cited the name of the Senate President, as an example in his presentation on investigating a graft case. However, he suddenly stopped when he noticed the mood of lawmakers in the Chamber. “If we are investigating the Senate President for example…” Olukoyede said, prompting lawmakers to burst into laughter.

But the laughter became louder when Senator Godswill Akpabio told the EFCC Chairman-nominee not to use his name as an example in the investigation of a corruption case.

Akpabio said, “I’m very glad that the nominee wants to use the Senate President as an example. But Mr nominee, leave the Senate President for now, look at this direction (pointing at the seats of opposition lawmakers).”

Mr Olukoyede, after the loud laughter, continued his speech without mentioning anyone’s name, saying, “If you are fighting corruption, you become the enemy of everybody.”

Recalling that Akpabio has a N108.1 billion alleged theft of funds case before the anti-graft agency.

The EFCC started investigation of the former Akwa Ibom governor after a petition by an Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Leo Ekpenyong. The commission had detained Akpabio over alleged fraud, but he has consistently maintained innocence. Meanwhile, the status of the case is currently unknown.

(Opera)