- EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede has raised alarm over the scale of public-sector corruption in Nigeria, saying his agency receives more than 20,000 corruption petitions every year.
- He also alleged that some public officers enter office with less than ₦100,000 but become linked to millions of dollars and numerous properties within a few years.
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has raised alarm over the scale of corruption in Nigeria, saying some public officers take national resources “every minute.”
Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi.
The EFCC chairman disclosed that the commission receives more than 20,000 petitions relating to public corruption every year, describing many of the cases as disturbing.
“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files you will weep,” Olukoyede said.
He said Nigerians ultimately bear the consequences when public resources are allegedly diverted, urging citizens to reject corrupt practices.
“The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders.”
Olukoyede also alleged that some officials assume office with less than ₦100,000 in their accounts but, within about three years, become linked to millions of dollars and large numbers of properties.
He said some public officers also acquire hundreds of houses while in office, stressing that corruption was undermining the country’s development.
Olukoyede called for stronger accountability among public officials, insisting that transparency must remain a key principle in public service.
