The appointment of Ola Olukayode as the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has come under intense scrutiny, with legal expert Daniel Bwala arguing that it violates the Commission’s Act.
Bwala, who also serves as a spokesperson for Atiku presidential campaign, voiced his objections on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, asserting that Olukayode’s appointment is in direct contravention of 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 made the announcement of Olukayode’s appointment on Thursday, specifying a renewable term of four years for the new Chairman, pending Senate confirmation. This decision comes approximately four months after the suspension of the former EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Bwala stressed that: “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.
Bwala elaborates on Olukayode’s limited experience in the field, stating, “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.”
This unexpected development has left many Nigerians puzzled, prompting Bwala to express concerns over the true motivations behind Olukayode’s appointment, concluding with a plea.
“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.
