President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ola Olukoyede as the new Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following the suspension of Abdulrasheed Bawa over allegations of corruption.
The appointment was announced by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement on Thursday. He said that Olukoyede would serve for a renewable term of four years, subject to Senate confirmation.
Olukoyede is a seasoned lawyer and a former Secretary to the EFCC. He has over 22 years of experience in compliance management, corporate intelligence and fraud management. He has also served as Chief of Staff to the former EFCC Chairman, Bawa, from 2016 to 2018.
Here are 5 things to know about the new EFCC boss:
- He hails from Ekiti State: Olukoyede was born in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on 14 October 1969. He is a native of Ekiti State, which is located in the South-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
- He is a lawyer by profession: Olukoyede obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Lagos in 1992. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993. He also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the University of Lagos in 1998.
- He has extensive experience in the EFCC: Olukoyede joined the EFCC in 2016 as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman, Bawa. He was responsible for overseeing the administration and coordination of the activities of the Commission. In 2018, he was nominated by former President Muhammadu Buhari to serve as Secretary to the EFCC, a position he held until his appointment as Chairman. As Secretary, he was the head of the Secretariat and the administrative arm of the Commission.
- He is an expert in regulatory compliance and fraud management: Olukoyede has over 22 years of experience in regulatory compliance, corporate intelligence and fraud management. He has worked as a consultant and adviser to various public and private sector organizations on issues relating to anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, due diligence, risk assessment and governance. He has also conducted several investigations and prosecutions of high-profile cases involving financial crimes and corruption.
- He is a pastor in RCCG: Olukoyede is a devout Christian and a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He is married with children.
Olukoyede’s appointment comes at a time when President Tinubu is determined to reinvigorate the war on corruption as a central pillar of his Renewed Hope agenda. He has tasked the new EFCC leadership to justify the confidence given to them in this important national assignment.
