The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has revealed that he turned down offers amounting to approximately N500 million from various individuals during his mother’s funeral in 2019.
Speaking at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja on Thursday, Olukoyede emphasized the importance of integrity in Nigeria’s fight against corruption. The event, themed Ethics, Integrity, Corruption Risk Assessments, and Anti-Corruption Efforts at National and Sub-National Levels, served as a platform for him to share personal experiences that reinforced his stance on ethical leadership.
Recalling the incident, Olukoyede stated, “I lost my mother in 2019 in Ekiti State. When I arrived for the funeral, I found about 17 cows in my compound, including pregnant ones. My gatekeeper also handed me a carton filled with cheques and drafts from ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, and heads of government agencies.”
Upon tallying the cheques, he discovered the total was close to N500 million. Despite the cultural tradition of receiving gifts during funerals, he questioned the implications of accepting such funds, particularly from individuals linked to agencies under EFCC investigation.
“Even though these gifts may not have influenced my decisions at the EFCC, how would I have justified those deposits before a panel if they were found in my account?” he said.
Olukoyede further recounted how he upheld ethical standards while overseeing an auction of forfeited assets. He disclosed that he disqualified his brother-in-law, an international auctioneer, from participating in the bidding process and also refused to assist his elder brother in acquiring a truck through the auction.
Despite maintaining strict ethical boundaries, he revealed that he and his then-chairman were later suspended and investigated for their roles in EFCC operations, including the auction process. “Had my brother-in-law’s name appeared in the auction records, I could have been in jail today,” he noted.
Olukoyede’s revelations underscore the ethical dilemmas faced in public service and reinforce the need for unwavering integrity in Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
