The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has recently addressed several critical issues concerning the agency's fight against corruption, including the ongoing prosecution of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, while also defending his own integrity against allegations of bias and corruption.

During an interview on Channels Television's Sunday Politics, Olukoyede provided fresh details on the case against Yahaya Bello, accusing the former governor of diverting state funds. Specifically, Olukoyede alleged that Bello, while still in office, transferred money directly from the Kogi State Government's account to a bureau de change to pay $720,000 in advance for his child’s school fees, anticipating his departure from Government House. This action was described as particularly disturbing given Kogi State's economic realities. Olukoyede reiterated his public vow from April 2024 to resign if the investigation into Bello was not completed, emphasizing that the EFCC has fulfilled its mandate by investigating and filing charges against him, with the matter now firmly in the hands of the courts. Yahaya Bello is currently facing multiple charges, including a 16-count charge for alleged property fraud amounting to N110 billion and a separate 19-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and money laundering involving N80.2 billion. The EFCC had declared Bello wanted in April 2024 over alleged financial crimes.

Olukoyede also took the opportunity to firmly deny allegations of corruption against himself, asserting his unblemished record throughout his public service career. He stated emphatically that he has never accepted bribes, benefited from fraudulent activities, or used his position for personal gain, even challenging anyone with contrary evidence to come forward. He highlighted his role in managing and disposing of seized assets as EFCC Secretary, insisting that neither he nor his family members ever benefited from such processes. Olukoyede further affirmed his compliance with asset declaration requirements and mandated the same for all EFCC staff, urging Nigerians to investigate his claims.

Addressing the investigation into former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, Olukoyede dismissed claims of political witch-hunting or personal vendetta. He stressed that the investigations against Malami predated his appointment as EFCC chairman, having inherited the file, which had been open for nearly two and a half years. Olukoyede maintained that the probe was conducted professionally and thoroughly, with charges only considered once sufficient evidence was established. Malami had recently been arraigned at the federal high court in Abuja on a 16-count charge related to alleged money laundering, alongside his son and wife, to which they pleaded not guilty. Malami had also alleged that his investigation was politically motivated following his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and cited an alleged indictment of Olukoyede by the Justice Ayo Salami judicial commission of inquiry.

In response to Malami's claims regarding the Salami panel, Olukoyede challenged those alleging his indictment to publish the panel's report. He clarified that the panel, set up in 2020 and concluded in early 2021, primarily investigated the former acting chairman of the EFCC. Olukoyede stated that he, along with other directors and staff, was only invited twice to provide statements and clarifications on the commission's statutory mandate, not as a subject of the probe. He questioned why the report, if it indeed indicted him, was not published by Malami, who served as Attorney-General until 2023, for two years while he had access to it. Olukoyede concluded by emphasizing that the EFCC operates without political bias and is committed to fighting corruption within the bounds of the law, urging Nigerians to support their efforts.