By Rosemary Okoduwa
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has emphasized the importance of accountability among local government chairmen in Nigeria. Speaking at the Gombe State Local Government Summit on February 19, 2025, Olukoyede stressed that local government chairmen do not have immunity from investigation and prosecution for fraud ยน.
Olukoyede pointed out that despite the enormous resources deployed to rural areas, the impact is not felt by the people, and councils have become caricatures existing only in name. He urged the chairmen to establish a compliance unit to monitor the use of resources and delivery of projects.
The EFCC boss also informed the chairmen that the Commission has established a Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) Department, which will monitor the use of enhanced receipts from the Federation account. Olukoyede warned that the EFCC will make unexpected visits to monitor the use of funds.
In addition, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, expressed concern that only seven out of 774 local government councils in Nigeria have websites, making it difficult to monitor their expenditures.
Gombe State Governor Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa commended the EFCC’s efforts and noted that his state had already granted financial autonomy to its 11 local government councils.