Femi Falana Faults Appointment of EFCC, ICPC Chairmen from Same Geopolitical Zone
Renowned human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, has asserted that the appointment of the chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from the same geopolitical zone violates the law and the Federal Character Principle.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria made this declaration during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Monday. According to Falana, if the chairman of the EFCC hails from the northern region, the chairman of the ICPC should be chosen from the southern region.
The most recent appointments of Mr. Ola Olukoyede as the chairman of the EFCC and Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as the ICPC Chairman both originate from the South-West geopolitical zone.
In response to the controversy surrounding Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Olukoyede as EFCC chairman, who also comes from the South-West, similar to the current ICPC chairman, Falana stated, “There is no issue; the only issue that has been raised has to be considered by the government is that we have in this country, the Federal Character Commission Act and also by the virtue of Section 14 of the constitution, appointments must reflect Federal Character.”
He continued, “If you are going to have the EFCC and the ICPC, the heads cannot come from the same zone. If there are two positions in the public service, one must go to the North, and one must go to the South. If there are four, two must go to the South, and two must go to the North. If there are six, one must go to each geopolitical zone. That is the law in Nigeria today.”
Falana emphasized that while Olukoyede is undoubtedly qualified to lead the EFCC, he personally feels uncomfortable with both anti-graft agencies being headed by individuals from the South-West geopolitical zone.
“So, I am not comfortable with the fact that the heads of the EFCC and the ICPC are from the same zone. Apart from that, Mr. Ola Olukoyede is eminently qualified to head the EFCC. My colleagues who have criticized the appointment have not looked at the relevant provisions of the EFCC, which is Section 2,” he concluded.
It should be noted that on October 12, 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr. Olukoyede as the new EFCC chairman amidst ongoing controversies. This appointment followed the controversial resignation of the embattled former EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was suspended on June 14, 2023, and detained by the Department of State Services on allegations of abuse of office.