By Ado Oyeyemi
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has raised the alarm over the alleged widespread diversion of public funds by government officials, saying public resources are being stolen “every minute.”
Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 80th birthday celebration of a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi.
The EFCC chairman said the commission receives more than 20,000 petitions relating to public corruption annually, describing many of the cases as disturbing.
He said, “I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect of public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files, you will weep.”
Olukoyede said Nigerians continued to bear the consequences of the alleged diversion of national resources, urging citizens and institutions to collectively reject corrupt practices among public officials.
He said, “The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders.”
The EFCC boss further alleged that some officials assume public office with less than N100,000 in their bank accounts but accumulate millions of dollars within a few years of occupying office.
According to him, some public officials also acquire hundreds of properties while still serving in government, warning that corruption was undermining the country’s development.
Olukoyede stressed the need for public officials to account for their stewardship, insisting that transparency and accountability must remain central to the conduct of public affairs.
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He called for collective efforts to curb corruption and ensure that public resources are used for the benefit of Nigerians.
