A lawyer, Daniel Bwala, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Ola Olukoyede as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is illegal.
Olukoyede is a lawyer with over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence.
His appointment was confirmed in a statement signed by presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale.
“Mr. Olukoyede’s appointment follows the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa,” Ngelale said.
According to Bwala, the new EFCC Chairman’s appointment contravenes the law establishing the anti-graft commission.
“The appointment of Olukayode as EFCC Chairman by PBAT is unlawful and illegal. It runs foul of the provisions of Section 2 of the EFCC ACT which requires that the person to be appointed as EFCC Chairman must amongst other things have: Been a serving or retired member of any security or law enforcement agency; Must have 15 years cognate experience of law enforcement, and Must not be below the rank of assistant commissioner of police,” Bwala said.
He added, “Olukoyede is a private legal practitioner and has never worked or belong to any security or law enforcement agency as a member.
“He does not have 15 years cognate experience as a law enforcement officer and
“His private legal practice years cannot be equated to the rank in law enforcement. Not enough attending seminal courses as a private legal practitioner can equate to 15 years cognate experience contemplated by section 2 of the Act.
“HE ONLY HAS A STINT AS CHIEF OF STAFF OF MAGU AND LATER BECAME A SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION, ALL OF WHICH LAST FOR LESS THAN 6 YEARS.
“This government never cease(s) to amaze Nigerians. Who knows, maybe he is being appointed for a mission. God help NIgeria.”