Human rights attorney and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has voiced his concern regarding the violation of the federal character principle in the simultaneous appointment of chairmen for two key anti-corruption federal agencies in Nigeria.
Mr. Falana emphasized that it is imperative that the chairmanship positions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) should not be held by individuals hailing from the same geopolitical zone.
During a live appearance on the Sunrise Daily program on Channels Television, he insisted that if the EFCC chairman originates from the northern region, then the chairman of the ICPC should emerge from the southern region.
“If you are going to have the EFCC and the ICPC, the heads cannot come from the same zone,” Mr Falana said.
Regarding Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the recently appointed EFCC chairman, Mr. Falana expressed his confidence in Olukoyede’s competence to lead the anti-graft agency. Mr. Olukoyede boasts an impressive resume, having previously served as the Chief of Staff to the EFCC Chairman from 2016 to 2018 and as the Secretary to the Commission from 2018 to 2023. His career spans 22 years of experience in relevant fields.
It’s noteworthy that both Mr. Olukoyede and Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN), who has held the position of ICPC Chairman since February 2019, hail from the South-West geopolitical zone.
On October 12, 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr. Olukoyede as the new EFCC chairman for an initial four-year term, pending Senate confirmation.
This appointment followed the controversial resignation of the embattled former EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who had been suspended on June 14, 2023, and detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) due to serious allegations of abuse of office.
Numerous legal experts and analysts have raised concerns about Mr. Olukoyede’s appointment, arguing that he lacks the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and is thus unqualified to lead the EFCC. However, Mr. Falana firmly asserts that Mr. Olukoyede’s previous roles within the agency have equipped him with the necessary qualifications to effectively lead the anti-corruption commission.
“There is no issue; the only issue that has been raised has to be considered by the government is that we have in this country, the Federal Character Commission Act and also by the virtue of Section 14 of the constitution, appointments must reflect Federal Character.
“If you are going to have the EFCC and the ICPC, the heads cannot come from the same zone. If there are two positions in the public service, one must go to the North, one must go to the South. If there are four, two must go to the South, two must go to the North. If there are six, one must go to each geopolitical zone. That is the law in Nigeria today.
“So, I am not comfortable with the fact that the heads of the EFCC and the ICPC are from the same zone. Apart from that, Mr Ola Olukoyede is eminently qualified to head the EFCC. My colleagues who have criticized the appointment have not looked at the relevant provisions of the EFCC which is Section 2.”