The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has disclosed that he turned down offers of about N500 million from various individuals during his mother’s funeral in 2019. Olukoyede made this revelation at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja, organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre, Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, ICPC, and EFCC, with the support of the MacArthur Foundation.
According to Olukoyede, the substantial gifts, which included cheques and drafts, were sent to him by ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, and other high-ranking officials. At the time, Olukoyede was serving as the Secretary of the EFCC. He recounted that upon his return to his family home in Ekiti State, where the funeral took place, he discovered numerous cheques in a carton. After reviewing the cheques, which amounted to nearly N500 million, he decided to return them.
Olukoyede expressed concern about the potential consequences if he had deposited the cheques into his account, particularly given his role in investigating the individuals who had sent them. He emphasized the importance of maintaining ethical conduct and transparency, especially in his position at the EFCC.
The EFCC chairman’s decision to reject the bribes demonstrates his commitment to upholding the values of integrity and transparency. His actions serve as a shining example for public officials and underscore the importance of resisting corruption in all its forms.
