EFCC, ICPC Chairmen can’t come from Yoruba land – Falana kicks

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has said that the Chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) should not come from the same geopolitical zone.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Falana explained that this principle aligns with the federal character principle of Nigeria.

He stressed that if the EFCC Chairman comes from the northern region, the chairman of the ICPC should be from the southern region, to maintain a balance and uphold the federal character principle.

Falana expressed that the current EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, is eminently qualified for the position, given his extensive experience and past roles within the agency, despite criticisms regarding his qualification.

Olukoyede had previously served as Chief of Staff to the EFCC Chairman and Secretary to the Commission.

President Bola Tinubu recently appointed Ola Olukoyede as the new EFCC boss, a decision met with criticisms regarding his qualifications.

However, Falana defended Olukoyede’s qualifications and called for adherence to the federal character principle in appointments to maintain equity and fairness.

He said, “There is no issue; the only issue that has been raised has to be considered by the government is that we have in this country, the Federal Character Commission Act and also by the virtue of Section 14 of the constitution, appointments must reflect Federal Character.

“If you are going to have the EFCC and the ICPC, the heads cannot come from same zone. If there are two positions in the public service, one must go to the North, one must go to the South. If there are four, two must go to the South, two must go to the North. If there are six, one must go to each geopolitical zone. That is the law in Nigeria today.

“So, I am not comfortable with the fact that the heads of the EFCC and the ICPC are from the same zone. Apart from that, Mr Ola Olukoyede, is eminently qualified to head the EFCC. My colleagues who have criticised the appointment have not looked at the relevant provisions of the EFCC which is Section 2.”