The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised concerns over the alleged widespread diversion of public funds by some public officers, saying national resources are being taken “every minute.”
Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi.
The EFCC chairman said the commission receives more than 20,000 petitions relating to public corruption every year, describing many of the cases as disturbing.
“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to 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,” he said.
Olukoyede said Nigerians are often the victims of fraudulent activities involving public resources, urging citizens to reject corrupt practices and demand accountability from public officials.
He said some public servants enter office with less than N100,000 in their bank accounts but, after spending three or four years in office, have millions of naira and dollars traced to them.
According to him, some public officers also build dozens or even hundreds of houses while still in office.
“Some build 50 something houses, sometimes 200 houses. There’s no way a nation will develop with those kind of people in power, no way,” Olukoyede said.
He stressed that public officers must be able to account for their activities while in office, adding that transparency and accountability should remain guiding principles in public service.
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