In a move that has been generating buzz in political circles, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly gearing up to appoint Olanipekun Olukoyede as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This development comes with anticipation and a keen eye on the future of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts. Olukoyede, a seasoned lawyer, previously served as the secretary of the anti-graft agency for two years during the tenure of Ibrahim Magu as the acting chair of the commission. His name has resurfaced in the corridors of power, raising questions about the direction the EFCC will take under his leadership.
Before his role as secretary, Olukoyede served as Magu’s chief of staff, making him intimately familiar with the inner workings of the commission. His appointment as chairman marks a significant step in his career, and it is expected to have far-reaching implications for the EFCC and its ongoing efforts to combat corruption in Nigeria. “President Tinubu has chosen Olanipekun Olukoyede for appointment as the substantive chairman of the EFCC,” disclosed a top presidency source familiar with the development, but not permitted to discuss it before the official announcement. This revelation has piqued the interest of Nigerians and the international community, given the EFCC’s critical role in the fight against financial crimes.
While Olukoyede’s nomination awaits Senate confirmation, sources close to the matter have hinted that the official announcement will be made “very soon.” This signals a potentially swift transition in the leadership of the EFCC, as the nation watches closely. Born in Ikere-Ekiti on October 14, 1969, Olukoyede hails from Ekiti State in South-west Nigeria. He is on the cusp of celebrating his 54th birthday on October 14, which adds a layer of significance to this appointment. Olukoyede’s journey to the EFCC began when he was nominated by former President Muhammadu Buhari as the Secretary to the EFCC in 2018. Subsequently, the Nigerian Senate confirmed his appointment in November 2018, filling the shoes of Emmanuel Aremo, whose five-year tenure had ended in July 2018.
However, his confirmation was not without controversy, as Senator Isa Misau raised concerns about the process. Misau accused Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Chukwuka Utazi, of sidelining certain senators in preparing the committee’s report that cleared Olukoyede for the position. Olukoyede brings a wealth of legal and investigative experience to the EFCC. Before joining the commission, he worked as a lawyer at the law firm of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. He is a certified fraud examiner with expertise in anti-corruption research, corporate intelligence gathering, and financial crimes litigation. Furthermore, Olukoyede is a member of the Fraud Advisory Panel in the UK and serves on the Federal Government Technical Committee on the Repositioning of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
As Nigeria watches for official confirmation and the subsequent impact on anti-corruption efforts, Olukoyede’s appointment represents a significant development in the nation’s ongoing fight against financial crimes and corruption. The nation waits with bated breath to see how the EFCC under his leadership will navigate these critical issues