EFCC Chairman Reveals He Rejected N500m Offers During Mother’s Burial
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has disclosed how he turned down offers totaling N500 million from government officials during his mother’s funeral in 2019. Speaking at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja on Thursday, Olukoyede recounted the incident as an example of the ethical challenges faced by public officials in Nigeria.
Olukoyede, who was serving as the Secretary of the EFCC at the time, revealed that the offers came in the form of cheques and drafts from ministers, directors, heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), and other high-ranking government officials. He emphasized that accepting such gifts could have compromised his integrity and the credibility of the EFCC.
A Test of Integrity
Recounting the incident, Olukoyede explained that upon returning to his family home in Ekiti State ahead of the burial, his gatekeeper presented him with a box containing numerous cheques and drafts. “When I got home, my gate man presented a box to me, and inside it, I saw so many cheques and drafts from ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, DGs of agencies, etc.,” he said.
He shared the moment with his wife, who initially praised God for the unexpected windfall. However, Olukoyede saw the situation differently. “I said, ‘Praise God for what?’ By the time we put all the cheques together, it counted close to N500 million,” he recounted.
Rejecting the Offers
Olukoyede decided to return all the cheques and drafts, citing the potential conflict of interest and the risk of compromising his position. “I did the burial in September 2019. By July 2020, I was under investigation. Now, assuming all those cheques were paid into my account as traditional gifts and some of the MDAs that we were investigating in the EFCC, some of their directors and their DGs and their ministers sent cheques to me,” he said.
He questioned how he would have explained the deposits if they had been paid into his account, especially if he were under investigation. “Ordinarily, I mean for burial, some gave me one million, N20 million, and all of that. Even though that would not have influenced my decision if I was in a position to determine what would happen to their investigations, how would I have explained before a panel that they saw cheques paid into my account?” he asked.
A Lesson in Ethical Leadership
Olukoyede’s decision to reject the offers highlights the importance of integrity and ethical leadership in public service. His actions serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by officials in positions of authority, particularly in anti-corruption agencies, where maintaining public trust is paramount.
The EFCC chairman’s revelation also sheds light on the pervasive culture of gift-giving and bribery in Nigeria, where public officials are often tempted with substantial sums of money in exchange for favors or leniency. By sharing his experience, Olukoyede aims to inspire other public servants to uphold ethical standards and resist such temptations.
A Call for Accountability
Olukoyede’s story underscores the need for greater accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s public sector. It also highlights the importance of robust anti-corruption measures to prevent the misuse of public office for personal gain. As the head of the EFCC, Olukoyede’s commitment to ethical leadership sets a strong example for other officials and reinforces the agency’s mission to combat corruption.
The EFCC chairman’s decision to reject N500 million in offers during his mother’s burial is a powerful testament to his integrity and commitment to ethical leadership. His actions serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining public trust and upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in public service.
As Nigeria continues its fight against corruption, stories like Olukoyede’s provide hope and inspiration for a future where public officials prioritize the common good over personal gain. His leadership at the EFCC reinforces the agency’s role as a key player in promoting good governance and combating corruption in Nigeria.
