A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Kayode Ajulo, Saturday called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently set up a presidential taskforce to identify corrupt officers within the ranks of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
Ajulo’s call is sequel to the claim by the chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, that the quest for bribes by the agency’s investigators has become “too embarrassing.”
Olukoyede had disclosed this in his new year address to the staff of the commission on January 18.
Ajulo, in a statement in Abuja, however, noted that the president should set up a taskforce to look into the activities of corrupt elements in the agency, adding that an agency saddled with fighting corruption should be above board.
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He said the main task of the presidential taskforce would be to weed out corrupt elements in its fold to allow for the agency to function effectively.
The constitutional lawyer also urged Tinubu to also look into the merger of the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses (ICPC).
“The EFCC has long been entrusted with the critical responsibility of preventing, investigating and prosecuting financial crimes.
“However, recent developments have raised concerns about the commission’s focus and operations, warranting a thorough reassessment of its mandate and effectiveness.
“Regrettably, it appears that the EFCC has strayed from its primary functions, engaging in what can be described as political posturing,” he said.
He said the EFCC had prioritised high profile cases and media sensationalism over its core objectives, thus compromising its ability to diligently pursue and bring to justice the real perpetrators of economic and financial crimes.
Ajulo called for a thorough probe of the circumstances surrounding the alleged pursuit of Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal by the EFCC on the alleged $9billion he purportedly laundered for Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.
