Reps summon EFCC boss for account of stewardship

The House of Representatives issued a 5-day ultimatum on Friday to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to appear before it and account for his stewardship since assuming office.

Hon. Obinna Onwusibe, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, issued the notice after the committee returned from an oversight function at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. Lawmakers expressed displeasure over Olukoyede’s absence despite formal notification of the oversight.

During the visit, a staff member informed the lawmakers that the EFCC had been called to an emergency at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), but no further details were provided.

The committee has given Olukoyede until Tuesday of next week to appear with his management team to address questions regarding the Commission’s budget performance and any challenges it faces.

Despite entreaties by senior personnel of the Commission, visibly angry committee members refused to enter the headquarters complex, returning to the National Assembly.

Hon. Onwusibe addressed reporters, saying, “We’ve just returned from the EFCC headquarters as part of our oversight responsibilities over both EFCC and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). We notified EFCC last week about today’s oversight visit.

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“The purpose was to review EFCC’s budget performance as appropriated by the National Assembly and to assess other matters, including their challenges. To our surprise, we found only subordinate staff present, not the Chairman or the Zonal Commanders we requested.

“The committee decided to suspend the oversight and has resolved to summon the EFCC Chairman and his team to appear before us by next Tuesday. He will receive an official letter inviting him to face the committee.

“The integrity and functions of the 10th National Assembly are paramount to us. We have repeatedly requested information and documents from the Commission without adequate response, a matter I intended to address today. We expect EFCC to comply and appear before us on Tuesday for further discussions.”