Internet fraud: Ex-convicts can’t run for public offices, Olukoyede warns youths

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has warned the youth against engaging themselves in any fraudulent activities, stating that such will impede their chances of running for public offices in the future.

The EFCC boss gave the warning in Abuja on Sunday, March 31, at an Anti-Corruption Concert organized to create greater awareness and public involvement in the fight against internet crimes.

While emphasising the need for the youth to avoid any fraudulent activities, he disclosed that there are career limitations for ex-convicts as they can’t run for public offices.

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He said, “Youths need to know that being ex-convicts has career limitations. Ex-convicts can’t run for public offices; the stigma alone is even terrible. So, I urge you to avoid internet crimes by all means. Your future is more important than any immediate gains from such crimes.”

Addressing the speculations that the body only focuses on internet fraudsters, the EFCC boss revealed that the anti-corruption body has arraigned no fewer than two former governors in the last two months.

According to him, the agency under his watch will not spare any economic and financial criminals, regardless of their status in society.

“We will not spare anyone. We will not spare the mega thieves. As we are doing the mega, we will also do those at the lower end. In the last two months, we have arranged two former governors. So, it is not true that we are only focused on internet fraudsters. Of course, internet fraud is bad enough, but our focus is on every form of economic and financial crime,” he added.

He, however, disclosed that the EFCC, under his supervision, is highly committed to providing youth with a bright and enduring future. He added that as part of this initiative, there are plans to establish a Cyber Crime Research Center within the New Academy of the EFCC, which will be directed towards productive activities that yield positive outcomes for the youth.