EFCC needs reform, Chairman should be sacked — Olayinka
A Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Lere Olayinka, has called for comprehensive reforms of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to align with global best practices in the fight against corruption.
Olayinka criticized the current operations of the EFCC, comparing the agency to “a gathering of Motor Park touts.”
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Olayinka responded to an incident where armed EFCC operatives allegedly invaded a hotel in Lagos State at approximately 4 a.m., assaulting female staff and guests.
He called for the immediate dismissal of the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, citing incompetence or complicity in the agency’s operations.
Olayinka described the invasion of Regional Hotel in Lagos as disgraceful, stating, “The way EFCC is going, one day, and very soon, its operatives will be mounting roadblocks to stop commercial vehicles and arrest their passengers.”
He questioned the EFCC Chairman’s leadership, noting that Olukoyede had announced a ban on nighttime sting operations on November 1, 2023.
Olayinka asked why EFCC operatives continue to conduct such operations, referencing the recent invasion of clubs and lounges in Akure, Ondo State, at 1 a.m. and the hotel raid in Lagos at 4 a.m.
“It is becoming obvious that those in charge of the EFCC outside Abuja do not listen to Olukoyede, and it can only be a function of incompetence on his side.
He should just be shown the exit doors before we witness another #EndSARS protest,” Olayinka said.
He also criticized the EFCC for the delay in addressing the actions of its operatives, stating that the arrest of two agents seen in CCTV footage assaulting people at the Lagos hotel was an afterthought.
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He added that if the operatives had managed to destroy the CCTV cameras, they would have defended their actions as they did in Akure.
“It’s even more shameful that the Chairman is a lawyer and pastor,” Olayinka remarked.
Addressing the need for the EFCC to avoid emotional and sentimental actions, Olayinka argued that not all cases should be taken to court. He pointed out that prolonged court cases drain resources and punish defendants unjustly.
“Imagine EFCC prosecuting one case for ten years and, at the end of the day, the case is dismissed. What will happen to the millions of Naira spent by the EFCC to pay lawyers? Who will bear the cost incurred by the defendants? Isn’t it punishment for defendants to pay lawyers and go in and out of court for ten years?” he questioned.
Olayinka emphasized that in more developed countries, anti-corruption agencies operate quietly and efficiently. “No one fights corruption by invading bars, clubs, lounges, and student hostels at odd hours and standing on the roads to carry out random arrests.
It is crude and primitive to arrest people randomly, clamp them in detention before finding out their culpability,” he concluded.
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