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EFCC Chairman Declares War on Corrupt Local Government Chairmen—No Immunity, No Escape

By Achimi Muktar

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has fired a warning shot at corrupt local government chairmen across Nigeria: No immunity, no escape!

EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has vowed to investigate and prosecute any local government official indicted for fraud, making it clear that the Commission will not wait until their tenure ends to take action.

He made this declaration on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Gombe State Local Government Summit, urging council leaders to embrace financial accountability or face the full wrath of the law.

No More Hiding Behind Office: EFCC on High Alert

Speaking at the event, Olukoyede emphasized that local government officials do not have immunity from prosecution—a privilege reserved only for the President, Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors.

"We are not going to wait until you finish your tenure to come after you," he warned.

The EFCC chairman lamented the alarming levels of poverty, stagnation, and underdevelopment in rural areas despite the massive funds allocated to local councils over the years.

"Instead of becoming catalysts for growth, many local governments have become mere caricatures—existing only in name while the people continue to suffer," he said.

Fraud Risk Control: EFCC’s New Plan to Monitor Funds

To curb financial mismanagement, Olukoyede announced that the EFCC has set up a Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) Department, which will deploy officers to local government councils to monitor fund usage in real-time.

"We will be paying you visits occasionally to monitor how you are using public funds. We will come in the evening. Sometimes, you may even see us in your dreams," he warned, sending a strong message to corrupt officials.

Additionally, he advised local government leaders to establish compliance units within their councils to ensure transparency and proper execution of projects.

ICPC Chairman Calls Out Lack of Transparency

Adding to the accountability push, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, called out local governments for their lack of transparency.

He revealed that out of Nigeria’s 774 local government councils, only seven have functional websites, making it nearly impossible to track expenditures and project execution.

"How can the public monitor your progress if you don’t even have a website?" Aliyu questioned, urging councils to improve digital transparency.

Gombe Governor and AGF Back Anti-Corruption Crackdown

Gombe State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, praised the EFCC and ICPC for intensifying their oversight on local governments, especially in light of the new financial autonomy granted to councils.

The EFCC’s move aligns with the stance of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who, in July 2024, vowed to prosecute any local government chairman or councillor found mismanaging FAAC allocations.

Citing the Supreme Court’s 2024 verdict on local government autonomy, Fagbemi emphasized that all allocated funds must be directly received and utilized by councils, not hijacked by state governments or corrupt officials.

The Message is Clear: No More Business as Usual

With zero immunity, intensified monitoring, and the threat of jail time, Nigeria’s local government officials are now under the strictest scrutiny in history.

The EFCC’s new approach signals a turning point in the fight against corruption at the grassroots level, ensuring that public funds finally serve the people rather than private pockets.

For corrupt local government chairmen, the clock is ticking—will they reform or face the consequences?