Abuja-based lawyer Daniel Bwala says President Bola Tinubu violated Nigerian law in the appointment of Ola Olukayode as the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bwala, who also serves as a spokesperson for Atiku presidential campaign, stated this on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, pointing out that Olukayode’s appointment contravenes Section 2 of the EFCC Act.
According to Section 2 of the EFCC Act, individuals appointed as the chairman of the anti-graft agency must meet certain criteria. These include having served or retired as a member of a security or law enforcement agency, possessing 15 years of relevant law enforcement experience, and holding a rank not below that of assistant commissioner of police.
President Bola Tinubu had on Thursday appointed Olukayode as the new EFCC boss for a renewable term of four years, pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate confirmation.
He replaces the former EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was suspended by Tinubu and arrested by the Department of State Service, where he is still being detained
But according to Bwala, “The appointment of Olukayode as EFCC Chairman by PBAT is unlawful and illegal. It runs foul of the provisions of Section 2 of the EFCC ACT which requires that the person to be appointed as EFCC Chairman must amongst other things have been a serving or retired member of any security or law enforcement agency. Must have 15 years cognate experience of law enforcement, and must not be below the rank of assistant commissioner of police.”
Olukayode’s background, however, differs from these stipulations. He is a private legal practitioner and has never been associated with any security or law enforcement agency as a member. Furthermore, he lacks the required 15 years of law enforcement experience, and his years of private legal practice cannot be equated with the necessary rank in law enforcement.
On Olukayode’s lack of the requisite experience, Bwala said it is “not enough attending seminar courses as a private legal practitioner can equate to 15 years cognate experience contemplated by section 2 of the Act. He only has a stint as Chief of Staff of Magu and later became a secretary of the Commission, all of which lasted for less than six years.”
The Atiku presidential campaign spokesman insuinated that Olukayode’s shocking may have an ulterior motive.
“This government never ceases to amaze Nigerians. Who knows, maybe he is being appointed for a mission. God help Nigeria.
” The controversy surrounding Olukayode’s appointment as the EFCC Chairman continues to unfold, raising questions about the legal validity of this decision.”
cpcnews.org 