Senate confirms Olukoyede as EFCC chair, Hammajoda Secretary

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Senate, on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, also confirmed the appointment of Muhammad Hammajoda as the Secretary of the EFCC.

The upper chamber of the National Assembly equally confirmed the nomination of Halima Shehu as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) by President Bola Tinubu.

While answering questions from the lawmakers, Olukoyede said: “We will do our work with utmost respect to the provisions of the law. We are going to be guided strictly by our mandate.

“There is no way you can fight corruption successfully without respect to the provisions of the law.”

Speaking on the issue of investigating politicians in the country, the EFCC chairman said: “This is neither here nor there.

“There must be two salient questions that must be asked and answered; has the person committed crime, has he committed financial crimes; if he has, then I will have cause to investigate him.

“Whether you are in the ruling party and you deep your hands in what you are not supposed to deep your hands into, you will be called to question.

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“You’re in the opposition, you swallow sandpaper that will not digest, you also will be called to answer questions.

“The mandate that EFCC gives to us does not discriminate. This is where equity and justice comes in so you will not be seen as chasing a particular section.”

Confirming the appointment of Olukoyede, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the EFCC had engaged more on sensation than on real investigation.

Akpabio stated: “We need to take a critical look at EFCC and look at whether the act setting the EFCC even allows them to function.

“This hallowed chamber has the gavel and we have the right to review the law setting up the EFCC for proper functionality and effectiveness.”

On her part, the NSIPA boss, while giving a highlight of her career profile and professional experiences, said she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Masters degree in International Affairs and a Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria.

She stated that she had over 10 years’ experience in banking industry, heading several units in banking operations.

She said: “I worked closely with the pioneer Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as a Consultant and Technical Adviser.

“I also held the position of the National Programme Co-ordinator for the National Cash Transfer Office, a World Bank and Government Funded Programme by the Abacha Resituated Funds (ARF).”

Shehu, while responding to questions, commended the Senate for the legal framework establishing the social investment programme agency.

She said the agency would ensure seamless implementation of the various aspects of the programme.

Shehu added: “The agency under my watch, with other stakeholders, will ensure transparency in the implementation of the programmes and in the selection of vulnerable Nigerians across the country.

“There will be full and logical implementation of the programmes for better attainment of the goals and objectives of the agency.”

The Star