Local Government Chairmen Must Be Accountable, No Immunity For Them -EFCC

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has stated that Local Government Chairpersons have no immunity from corruption investigations and must remain accountable for their actions during their tenure.

Speaking at the Gombe State Local Government Summit on Wednesday, February 19, Olukoyede emphasised that the EFCC will not wait until the end of a chairperson’s term to hold them accountable for any misconduct. “Local government chairmen do not have immunity, and we are not going to wait until you finish your tenure to come after you,” he said.

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Olukoyede also criticised the state of local governments, describing many as “caricatures existing only in name” due to their failure to deliver meaningful development despite substantial resources allocated to them.

“The impacts of these resources are not felt by the people living in these areas. Councils, instead of becoming catalysts of growth, have become caricatures existing only in name,” he added.

The EFCC chairman further revealed plans to establish a new Fraud Risk Assessment and Control Department and called for the creation of a compliance unit to better monitor the use of funds and the execution of projects in rural areas.

“We will be monitoring how you use the funds,” Olukoyede warned. “EFCC will be paying you visits occasionally to monitor your activities. Sometimes, you may even see us in your dreams.”