The new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Ola Olukayode, was on Wednesday confirmed by the Nigerian senate.
During his screening at the Red Chamber, Olukoyode told the lawmakers to ensure that the fight against corruption begins in the National Assembly.
According to the substantive EFCC boss, he was ready to work no matter whose ox was gored. He also said the time had come for all anti-corruption agencies to focus more on prevention rather than enforcement.
He said; “Let the fight against corruption begin from this hallowed chamber. If you are fighting corruption, you become the enemy of everybody”.
“Enforcement is a very strong tool in our hands and we are going to apply it very seriously. Without downplaying the importance of enforcement, there is what we call a transactional credit system.
“If we continue to allow Nigerians to buy houses, cars and other luxurious properties by cash, because we don’t have an effective credit system, one thousand anti-corruption agencies will not do us any good and that is the reality.
“We must create an atmosphere to make sure that people have choices. If I don’t steal money, can I afford to train my children in school with good standards? If I don’t steal money, can I buy a car after I have worked for five years? If I don’t steal money, can I put a three-room bungalow in place after I have worked for 20 years?
“An average Nigerian does not own a home, when he has the opportunity, he would steal. Even if he does not have the opportunity he would create one.”
Meanwhile, the Upper legislative Chamber erupted in laughter when the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio asked Olukoyede not to use him as an example in the anti-corruption fight.
The EFCC chairman had said while speaking that “If we are investigating the Senate President for example…”
But Akpabio noted; “I’m very glad that the nominee wants to use the Senate President as an example. But Mr nominee, leave the Senate President for now, look at this direction (pointing at the seats of opposition lawmakers).”
