Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria , Femi Falana, said the Chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC can not come from the same geopolitical zone.According to him, having the chairmen of the two anti-graft federal agencies in Nigeria to come from the same geopolitical zone is against the federal character principle.
Recall both Mr Olukoyede and ICPC Chairman, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye , who has been in office since February 2019, are from the South-West geopolitical zone. Olukoyede’s resignation followed the controversial resignation of embattled ex-EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was suspended on June 14, 2023 and detained by the Department of State Services over “weighty” allegations of abuse of office levelled against him.
But, Falana said Olukoyede is qualified to lead the anti-graft commission having previously served in some high capacity in the agency.He said, “There is no issue; the only issue that has been raised has to be considered by the government is that we have in this country, the Federal Character Commission Act and also by the virtue of Section 14 of the constitution, appointments must reflect Federal Character.