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October 13, 2023

October 13, 2023 IFMNEWS

Tinubu Appoints New EFCC Chairperson Whose Qualification Is Controversial

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Olanipekun Olukoyede to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for a renewable term of four years in the first instance pending senate confirmation.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale said Olukoyede’s appointment followed the unannounced resignation of the suspended erstwhile Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

BAWA was suspended after weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against him and has since been in detention at the Department of State Service (DSS) for four months now.

The statement said President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Muhammad Hammajoda to serve as EFCC Secretary for a renewable term of five years in the first instance pending Senate confirmation.

The new EFCC chair, Olukoyede, is a Lawyer, who served as Secretary of the anti-graft agency for two years during the time of Ibrahim Magu as acting chairman of the Commission.

He, along with Magu and a number of other officials, was suspended from office by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020 and was never recalled.

While Magu was replaced with Bawa in February 2021, Olukoyede was replaced with George Ekpungu, as the secretary of the commission in June 2021.

Meanwhile reactions have trailed the appointment of Olanipekun Olukoyede as Executive Chairman of the EFCC.

Speaking on our breakfast talk show, constitutional lawyer and social commentator, Fred Nzeakor questioned the qualification of the appointee based on the EFCC Act.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale said Olukoyede’s appointment followed the unannounced resignation of the suspended erstwhile Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

The new EFCC chair, Olukoyede, is a Lawyer, who served as Secretary of the anti-graft agency for two years during the time of Ibrahim Magu as acting chairman of the Commission.

Nzeako said there are laid down guidelines for selecting the EFCC Chair.

He also said the lawmakers should do their due diligence regarding his confirmation

October 12, 2023

October 12, 2023October 12, 2023 IFMNEWS

Tinubu Appoints New EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede

In an official announcement, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Mr. Ola Olukoyede as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This development comes following the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa. Tinubu's Special Adviser confirmed the appointment on Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

Additionally, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda as the Secretary of the anti-graft agency. Hammajoda's term is initially set for five years, pending Senate confirmation.

This appointment aligns with the powers vested in President Bola Tinubu as established in Section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, which grants him the authority to appoint the Chairman and members of the Commission. Mr. Ola Olukoyede, with over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence, will serve as the Executive Chairman. He has a strong background in the operations of the EFCC, having previously held positions as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Commission (2018-2023), fulfilling the statutory requirements for the Chairman's role.

Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda, a public administrator with expertise in public finance management, will assume the role of Secretary. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maiduguri and a Masters in Business Administration from the same institution. His career journey includes experience as a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, and successful stints in the banking sector, including roles at the defunct Allied Bank and Standard Trust Bank.

President Tinubu has urged the new leadership of the Commission to uphold the trust placed in them and fulfil their responsibilities diligently.

October 3, 2023

October 3, 2023October 3, 2023 IFMNEWS

EFCC Initiates Extradition Proceedings For Diezani, Secures Arrest Warrant

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained an arrest warrant as it begins the extradition process of former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke from the United Kingdom back to Nigeria to face the 13-count charges bordering on money laundering levelled against her by the anti-graft agency.

The Commission further revealed that the charges for which Diezani is answerable cover jurisdictions in Dubai – the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Nigeria.

Its Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development. The EFCC alleged that the former Minister stole 2.5 billion dollars from the Nigerian government while she was a Minister.

She had appeared before the Westminster Magistrates Court in London over an alleged 100,000 pounds bribe.

There are feelers that an informal interagency collaboration between the EFCC and the UK’s NCA led to the ongoing trial of Diezani in London.

August 31, 2023

August 31, 2023 IFMNEWS

EFCC Returns $26,000 To Christine Brown, A Victim Of Internet Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully orchestrated the recovery of $26,000 for Christine Brown, a British citizen who fell victim to internet fraud.

The commendable efforts of the EFCC led to the return of funds that had been illicitly taken from Brown in a case of online fraud.

Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson for the EFCC, confirmed this positive development in a statement issued from Abuja. Uwujaren shared that the funds were handed over to the victim by the Benin Zonal Command on Monday. Brown, expressing her gratitude to the Commission, acknowledged that its relentless actions relieved her after experiencing a loss of her life's savings to the fraudulent scheme.

The unfortunate incident began when Brown, a 70-year-old, was trapped in a romance scam orchestrated by an internet fraudster who presented themselves as John Barrowman, a supposed American entertainer. Unbeknownst to her, this individual was, in fact, a fraudster who exploited their romantic connection to extort money from her. The fraudster employed various methods, including wire transfers, Bitcoin transactions, and gift cards, to illicitly obtain funds from Brown.

In a formal statement, Kanu Idagu, the Zonal Commander, highlighted the EFCC's ongoing commitment to fulfilling its mandate for the betterment of society. Idagu stated that the Commission remains steadfast in its determination to restore victims of fraud wherever possible, and this recovery is a testament to that commitment.

Emphasising the need for caution while navigating the digital landscape, Idagu issued a cautionary message to the public. He urged individuals to exercise vigilance in their online interactions as fraudsters continually scour the internet, searching for unsuspecting victims to defraud.

The successful recovery of funds and the EFCC's dedication to addressing cybercrime underscore the importance of proactive efforts to combat online fraud and provide restitution to victims. The EFCC's actions serve as a reminder that the fight against cybercriminals remains an ongoing endeavor to safeguard individuals and their financial well-being in the digital age.

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Tag: EFCC

Tinubu Appoints New EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede

EFCC Initiates Extradition Proceedings For Diezani, Secures Arrest Warrant

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