WATCH THE VIDEO HERE The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has stressed that the Commission plans to investigate and prosecute local government chairmen across Nigeria who are indicted for fraud. Olukoyede urged local government chairmen nationwide to take accountability seriously, emphasizing that they do not have immunity while in office. He issued this warning in Gombe, Gombe State, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Gombe State Local Government Summit. “Local government chairmen do not have immunity, and we are not going to wait until you finish your tenure to come after you,” he stated. According to the EFCC Chairman, local council chairmen must be prudent in managing the substantial resources at their disposal. He decried the stagnation, poverty, and deprivation prevalent in rural areas across Nigeria, despite the significant funds allocated to them from the Federation Account and other international interventions over the years. “The impact of these resources is not felt by the people living in these areas. Councils, instead of becoming catalysts for growth, have become caricatures existing only in name,” he added. To ensure prudent resource management and accountability, the EFCC boss recommended that local government chairmen establish a compliance unit to assist in monitoring the use of resources and the execution of projects. “EFCC will be paying you visits occasionally to monitor how you are using the funds. We will come in the evening. Sometimes, you may even see us in your dreams,” Olukoyede warned. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, urged local government councils to develop functional websites and regularly update them with progress on developmental projects. Gombe State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, appreciated the anti-graft agencies for their efforts in enhancing the capacity and knowledge of local government administrations in light of the autonomy granted to councils. The EFCC chairman’s remarks reinforce the stance of the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who, in July 2024, vowed to prosecute local government chairmen and councillors who tamper with FAAC allocations meant for their jurisdictions. He urged them to prioritize local development and governance.
EFCC Chairman vows to prosecute fraudulent Local Government Chairmen across Nigeria
