Newsonline Nigeria had earlier reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Ola Olukoyede as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of four years pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.
This Nigeri news platform understands that President Tinubu’s appointment of a new EFCC Chairman was disclosed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale which stated that the President also appointed Mr Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda as Secretary of the Commission.
Newsonline Nigeria reports that Olukoyede’s appointment as the new EFCC Chairman follows the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.
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A statement confirming the appointment of the new EFCC Chairman reads thus; “By the powers vested in President Bola Tinubu as established in section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, that “the Chairman and members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the President,” President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of four years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.
Ola Olukoyede Biography
Pastor Ola Olukoyede, a native of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, South-west Nigeria, was born on 14 October 1969, making him 54 years old as of 14 October. He was nominated by former President Muhammadu Buhari as the Secretary to EFCC in 2018.
Ola Olukoyede Age
54 years old as of 14 October
Who is Ola Olukoyede?
Professional Background:
- Olukoyede had previously worked as a lawyer at the law firm of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo before assuming his role at the EFCC.
- He is a seasoned lawyer with expertise in compliance management, corporate intelligence, and fraud management.
- As a certified fraud examiner, he has led investigations and civil litigation related to fraud and financial crimes in International development projects.
- His specialization includes anti-corruption research and analysis, as well as corporate and business intelligence gathering and processing.
Career Milestones:
- He became the Secretary to EFCC in November 2018 after confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, replacing Emmanuel Aremo.
- Olukoyede’s nomination and subsequent appointment were not without controversy, with allegations of sidelining certain senators during the confirmation process.
Noteworthy Engagements:
- A member of the Fraud Advisory Panel (UK), highlighting his international involvement in anti-fraud initiatives.
- Additionally, he is a member of the Federal Government Technical Committee on the Repositioning of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
Historical Significance:
- If his nomination is successful, Olukoyede would become the first Nigerian from the South of the country to lead the anti-corruption agency, EFCC, breaking a trend where all substantive chairpersons, including acting ones, have historically hailed from the Northern region.
New EFCC Chairman Profile: 10 Things About Ola Olukoyede
In this piece, Newsonline Nigeria highlights 10 things to know about Olukoyede:
1. Olukoyede was born on October 14, 1969.
2.. Olukoyede is a native of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
3. He had his university education at the Lagos State University; University of Lagos; Institute of Arbitration, France and the Kennedy School of Executive Education, University of Harvard, United States.
4. The Ekiti State-born EFCC chairman was a member of the Fraud Advisory Panel, United Kingdom.
5. Olukoyede is a lawyer with over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence.
6. Olukoyede worked at the law firm of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo before joining the EFCC.
7. At the EFCC, Olukoyede previously served as the Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman, Ibrahim Magu (2016-2018)
8. He served as the Secretary of the anti-graft agency between 2018 and 2023.
9. Findings also reveal that he is a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of Refuge, Lagos Province 12, Shasha, Lagos State.
10. He’s a member of the Federal Government Technical Committee on the Repositioning of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
Ola Olukoyede Controversy
Newsonline Nigeria reports that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Ola Olukoyede, a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor, as EFCC Chairman has elicited reactions from Nigerians.
RCCG has been facing backlash from lots of Nigerians, mostly through social media platforms, since the appointment was announced. The reactions were said to have been fueled by rumours, suggesting that the church has a biased support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Some netizens alleged that the appointment confirmed the rumoured bias of the church towards APC . An X user with the account name- @MissPearls stated: “Pastor Olukoyede, the lead pastor of the RCCG City of Refuge, Lagos is the new EFCC Chairman. Pastor Olukoyede, the lead pastor of the RCCG City of Refuge, Lagos is the new EFCC Chairman… It’s always RCCG, ALWAYS!”.
Another X user, with the account name- Toluwani (LP) also stated “ I hope all RCCG members who were delusional before will open their eyes now that their church is in full support of everything APC does. From corruption to Ethnic bigotry, to certificate forgery to identity theft.”
Despite these opposing views, some other Nigerians have responded to the backlash in defence of the church and its integrity. An X user with the account name- @NuesDaily responded in defence of the church having top pastors as political leaders under APC stating “It’s literally the biggest non-catholic church in Nigeria and, especially the southwest, so statistically this isn’t unusual”.
The church has had records of top ministerial leaders holding political positions under the ruling party such as the former Vice president, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, a top Pastor of the RCCG who ran alongside former President Muhammadu Buhari under APC, and the current first lady of Nigeria, Mrs Remi Tinubu who is also an ordained Pastor in RCCG.
Whether the allegations against the church are true or not is yet to be confirmed.
