Ola Olukoyede appointed as new EFCC chairman pending confirmation by senators

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Ola Olukoyede as the new executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of four years pending senate confirmation.

On May 29 this year, President Tinubu assumed office and on June 16, he suspended EFCC chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa over allegations of abuse of office levelled against him. Moments after he was suspended, Mr Bawa was taken into custody by the Department of State Security but he denied any wrongdoing, saying his arrest was a case of corruption fighting back.

Now, President Tinubu has appointed a successor to head the anti-graft agency who will hope to end uncertainty in the fight against corruption. Mr Bawa’s predecessor like most former EFCXC chairmen was removed for alleged corruption, fuelling speculation that vested interests always find a way to fight back.

Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu's spokesman, said: “Mr Olukayode’s appointment follows the resignation of the suspended executive chairman of the EFCC, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa."

Mr Olukoyede, native of Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State,  was born on October 14, 1969 and had his university education at the Lagos State University, the University of Lagos, the Institute of Arbitration, France and the Kennedy School of Executive Education at Havard University. he was a member of the Fraud Advisory Panel in the UK.

A lawyer with over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence, Mr Olukoyede worked at the law firm of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo before joining the EFCC. At the agency, he has served as its secretary between 2018 and 2023.

He is also a pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of Refuge in Lagos State. In addition, Mr Olukoyede is a member of the Federal Government Technical Committee on the Repositioning of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.