The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has challenged Nigerians to publicly present evidence if he has ever been involved in fraud or illicit enrichment, insisting that he has never benefited from corruption in his years of public service.
Naijaonpoint reports that Olukoyede made the declaration during an interview aired on Channels Television on Sunday, where he dismissed claims linking him to fraudulent activities.
He said, “I’d like to tell Nigerians here, with every sense of responsibility, all through my service in the public sector, as Chief of Staff, in the EFCC, as Secretary in the EFCC, and I make bold to say that I’ve never been involved in any fraudulent activity.”
The EFCC chairman stressed that he had never accepted inducement in any form to influence his decisions.
“I’ve never been involved in any fraudulent activities. I served as Chief of Staff, no Nigerian, and I challenge anybody to say, ‘Oh, this man has ever collected one bottle of coke or one naira to influence my sense of judgement in carrying out my responsibility,’” he stated.
Addressing concerns about asset management during his tenure as EFCC Secretary, Olukoyede said he handled seized assets strictly in line with the law and without personal gain.
“As Secretary, I’ve got to manage assets here and to dispose assets. I never, you can’t trace any asset to me, nor any member of my family, as a matter of principle. And no Nigerian can say I collected one dime because of carrying out my activities,” he said.
He added, “So the issue of fraudulent attachment, I don’t know where that would have come from. I’ve never benefited from any of these assets. Never.”
On questions about his wealth, Olukoyede said Nigerians were free to investigate him.
“I mean, Nigerians should go and investigate that. So I don’t understand the concept of being a rich man,” he said.
The EFCC boss also said he complied fully with asset declaration requirements at every stage of his career.
“Of course I did that. I did it as Chief of Staff. I did it as Secretary. I did it as Chairman,” he said, adding that he also directed EFCC staff to declare their assets.
He stated, “I remember Nigerians also remember that I asked all my staff to also declare their assets. So look, it’s something that anybody can verify.”
Reiterating his stance, Olukoyede said anyone with proof of bribery against him should speak out.
“I’m telling you, I’ve never been involved in any fraudulent activity. Whether as Chief of Staff or as Secretary, and I’m telling Nigerians, if you have ever offered me a bribe and I collected, come out and say it,” he said.
Asked if he considered himself upright, he replied, “To the best of my knowledge. I do my work with every sense of diligence, and I do my work with every sense of commitment and loyalty to the mandate.”