Nigerians Support Corrupt Leaders Yet Complain About Corruption — EFCC Chairman, Olukoyede Lament

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has criticized Nigerians for condemning corruption while supporting corrupt leaders during prosecution.

He stressed that true development can only happen if citizens unite against corruption.

Speaking in Abuja during a visit by officials of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), led by Chris Olukolade, Olukoyede emphasized the need for collaboration. He noted that public support is crucial to the EFCC’s success and pledged to partner with stakeholders to raise awareness about integrity and the agency’s activities.

“When we prosecute high-profile cases, the same people protesting against corruption turn around to defend corrupt leaders. This contradicts the fight against corruption,” he said.

He highlighted that tackling corruption requires a collective effort involving society, policy reforms, and improved citizen welfare. He also outlined his leadership approach, prioritizing prevention over enforcement.

Olukoyede introduced the Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) directorate to block financial leakages and ensure funds are used for their intended purposes. The EFCC now monitors government payments through the GIFMIS platform to track expenditures and verify capital projects.

“Prevention is key. If we stop corruption before it happens, enforcement becomes easier and less costly. However, we are also scaling up enforcement to ensure accountability,” he added.