Alleged N50bn fraud: Arrest, prosecute Ganduje now or resign, groups tell Olukoyede
A coalition of 30 anti-corruption civil society organizations (CSOs) has called for the resignation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, over his alleged failure to prosecute former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The coalition, operating under the banner “Global Initiative for Corruption Eradication” (GICE), made the demand in response to what they describe as Ganduje’s evasion of prosecution despite facing multiple corruption allegations amounting to 50 billion naira.
The GICE spokesperson, Comrade Anthony Onoja, addressed the media in Abuja, highlighting several corruption cases involving Ganduje that have allegedly been ignored by the EFCC. Onoja stated, “It’s been over 2,200 days since the dollar video scandal broke, yet the EFCC remains silent.” The dollar video, which emerged in 2018, allegedly depicts Ganduje accepting bribes from contractors in exchange for government contracts. The coalition argues that the EFCC’s inaction in this case and others involving Ganduje is a direct violation of its mandate to combat corruption.
In addition to the dollar video scandal, the CSOs cited further allegations against Ganduje, including the alleged diversion of 50 billion naira in local government funds. According to GICE, there have been numerous petitions and protests from various groups calling for Ganduje’s prosecution, but the EFCC has consistently failed to act. They claim that this pattern of selective enforcement damages public trust in the agency and allows corruption to persist unchecked.
GICE has also accused the EFCC of allowing high-profile figures to evade justice, reinforcing the perception that the agency is being used for political purposes rather than fulfilling its role as an impartial law enforcement body. The CSOs allege that certain influential figures, such as Ganduje, are being shielded due to their political affiliations. “The general perception of Nigerians now is that the EFCC has abandoned its original mandate and become a political tool for eliminating political rivals and perceived enemies,” Onoja said.
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The coalition further detailed Ganduje’s repeated failure to appear in court for hearings related to corruption charges. According to GICE, Ganduje and his wife were summoned to the Kano High Court on several occasions earlier this year. However, they have reportedly failed to appear without providing legal representation. In response, the presiding judge has declined to issue a warrant of arrest but has allowed the prosecution to proceed in absentia.
GICE urged Nigerian citizens, as well as international anti-corruption organizations, to join them in calling for Ganduje’s immediate arrest and prosecution. They stated that if Olukoyede fails to take action, he should step down as EFCC Chairman. According to the coalition, the current leadership of the EFCC has strayed from its founding principles and allowed the agency to become a “conduit for the misappropriation of public funds and a tool for political persecution.”
The coalition also suggested that disbanding the EFCC could be a potential solution if it continues to operate as it currently does. They pointed to ongoing legal challenges regarding the agency’s constitutional validity, arguing that restructuring the EFCC could restore its credibility and ensure it fulfills its mandate to fight corruption effectively.
GICE concluded by calling on well-meaning Nigerians and international stakeholders to support their campaign for accountability, insisting that the EFCC must not be permitted to ignore its responsibilities to investigate and prosecute public officials accused of corruption.
Written by Sakinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime
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