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Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has picked a gap within the appointment of the brand new Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) Chairman, saying that it’s illegal and towards the federal character precept for the chairmen of the 2 anti-graft federal companies in Nigeria to return from the identical geopolitical zone.
The Chairman of the Unbiased Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee (ICPC) and that of the EFCC that was simply nominated are from the south West a part of the nation.
This was made identified by Falana, whereas making a dwell look on the Channels Tv programme, Dawn Every day, on Monday, the place he mentioned that if the EFCC Chairman comes from the northern area, the southern area ought to produce the chairman of ICPC.
There was a number of debate on the legality and constitutionality of the appointment of the brand new EFCC Chairman by President Bola Tinubu, with folks holding totally different views.
Falana admitted that the newly appointed EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede is certified to guide the anti-graft fee having beforehand served in some excessive capability within the company as Chief of Workers to the EFCC Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Fee (2018-2023) in addition to having 22 years cognate expertise.
Appointments should replicate federal character
- He mentioned, “There isn’t any problem; the one problem that has been raised must be thought of by the federal government is that now we have on this nation, the Federal Character Fee Act and in addition by the advantage of Part 14 of the structure, appointments should replicate Federal Character.
- “If you will have the EFCC and the ICPC, the heads can’t come from the identical zone. If there are two positions within the public service, one should go to the North, one should go to the South. If there are 4, two should go to the South, two should go to the North. If there are six, one should go to every geopolitical zone. That’s the regulation in Nigeria at this time.
- “So, I’m not snug with the truth that the heads of the EFCC and the ICPC are from the identical zone. Other than that, Mr Ola Olukoyede is eminently certified to move the EFCC. My colleagues who’ve criticised the appointment haven’t appeared on the related provisions of the EFCC which is Part 2.”
What you need to know
President Bola Tinubu had on October 12, 2023, appointed Mr Olukoyede as the brand new EFCC boss for a renewable time period of 4 years within the first occasion, pending Senate affirmation.
Mr Olukoyede’s appointment adopted the controversial resignation of embattled ex-EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was suspended on June 14, 2023 and detained by the Division of State Providers (DSS) over “weighty” allegations of abuse of workplace levelled towards him.
Many legal professionals and analysts have criticised the appointment of Mr Olukoyede, saying he isn’t an Assistant Commissioner of Police and never certified to guide the EFCC.
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