EFCC and ICPC Leadership, In a recent development, President Bola Tinubu has requested the Senate’s confirmation for the appointments of Mr. Ola Olukoyede and Mr. Muhammad Hammajoda as Chairman and Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) respectively. Additionally, Mrs. Delu Bulus Yakubu has been nominated as the pioneer National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA).
Appointment Details and Backgrounds
According to the statement read at the plenary by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu as Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu has been designated as the Secretary to the Commission.
Olukoyede’s appointment as EFCC Chair and Hammajoda as Secretary, for a renewable term of four years, was made last Thursday, pending Senate confirmation. This decision followed the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Similarly, the appointment of Aliyu as ICPC Chairman, subject to Senate confirmation, aligns with the President’s efforts to reform key institutions and strengthen Nigeria’s fight against corruption. Oparaodu’s appointment as Secretary to the Commission, on the other hand, took immediate effect as it does not require Senate confirmation.
Profile of Appointees
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, who has spearheaded significant reforms as the Attorney General of Jigawa State, holds degrees in law and was named Senior Advocate of Nigeria-designate in October 2023. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, with over 30 years of experience as a lawyer, has served in various capacities in the public service, including as a member of the Rivers State Judicial Service Commission and Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council.
Senate Confirmation and Protests
While these appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, a pro-democracy group, Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEHUR), has expressed its disapproval of the appointment of Olukoyede. The group claimed that the appointment violated the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 and urged adherence to existing laws in the nomination process.
President Tinubu has encouraged the new management team of the EFCC and ICPC Leadership to maintain transparency and impartiality in their duties. As the nominations proceed to the Senate, the government’s commitment to anti-corruption measures remains in the spotlight. Source thedailycourierng news