EFCC chairman says public officers divert Nigeria’s funds ‘every minute’

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has raised concern over the scale of alleged corruption in Nigeria’s public sector, saying the commission receives thousands of petitions involving public officials every year.

Olukoyede spoke in Abuja during an event marking the 80th birthday of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Kanu Agabi.

According to the EFCC chairman, the commission receives more than 20,000 petitions relating to public corruption annually, many involving allegations that he described as disturbing.

Olukoyede said some public officers enter government with relatively modest finances but accumulate unexplained assets within a few years in office.

He said EFCC investigations have, in some cases, traced millions of dollars, large amounts of naira and numerous properties to officials whose financial positions changed significantly after assuming public office

The EFCC chairman argued that diversion of public resources ultimately affects ordinary Nigerians because funds meant for infrastructure and essential services are lost to corrupt practices.

He called for greater transparency and accountability from public officials, saying people entrusted with government responsibilities should be able to explain how they managed public resources and how they acquired assets while in office.

Olukoyede’s remarks come as the EFCC continues to publicise its enforcement record.

The commission recently said it recovered about N1.233 trillion between October 2023 and July 2026 and secured 10,872 convictions from cases involving financial crimes during the 34-month period. Those figures were released by the EFCC itself.

Also speaking at Agabi’s birthday event, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu argued that corruption persists partly because of weak institutions and societal tolerance of corrupt behaviour