The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has cautioned local government chairmen across Nigeria to be accountable and prudent in managing public funds.
Speaking at the Gombe State Local Government Summit, Olukoyede warned that the EFCC would not wait until the end of any chairman’s tenure before initiating a probe, as they do not have immunity from investigation or prosecution.
He lamented the widespread stagnation, poverty, and deprivation in rural areas despite the substantial resources allocated to local councils.
“Local government chairmen do not have immunity, and we are not going to wait until you finish your tenure to come after you,” Olukoyede stated.
Olukoyede advised council leaders to establish compliance units to monitor resource allocation and project execution. He also revealed that the EFCC’s Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) Department would monitor local government expenditures, particularly in Gombe State, following increased federal allocations.
“The EFCC will be paying you visits occasionally to check how you are using the funds. We will come in the evening. Sometimes, you may even see us in your dreams,” he added.
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, expressed concern over the lack of transparency in local government councils, noting that only seven out of Nigeria’s 774 councils have websites, making expenditure monitoring difficult.
Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, reiterated the state’s commitment to strengthening local government administration, emphasising that financial autonomy must be accompanied by responsibility and discipline.
He highlighted that Gombe had already granted financial autonomy to its 11 local government councils, aligning with recent Supreme Court rulings.