The Senate, on Wednesday, screened and confirmed the nomination of Ola Olukoyede as the substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
While fielding questions from the senators during his screening, Olukoyode told the lawmakers to ensure that the fight against corruption begins in the National Assembly.
He declared that he was ready to work no matter whose ox was gored.
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“Let the fight against corruption begin from this hallowed chamber.
“If you are fighting corruption, you become the enemy of everybody,” he said.
Olukoyede said the time had come for all anti-corruption agencies to focus more on prevention rather than enforcement.
He said, “Enforcement is a very strong tool in our hands and we are going to apply it very seriously.
“Without downplaying the importance of enforcement, there is what we call a transactional credit system. If we continue to allow Nigerians to buy houses, cars and other luxurious properties by cash, because we don’t have an effective credit system, one thousand anti-corruption agencies will not do us any good and that is the reality.
“We must create an atmosphere to make sure that people have choices. If I don’t steal money, can I afford to train my children in school with good standards? If I don’t steal money, can I buy a car after I have worked for five years? If I don’t steal money, can I put a three-room bungalow in place after I have worked for 20 years?
“An average Nigerian does not own a home, when he has the opportunity, he would steal. Even if he does not have the opportunity he would create one.”
The new EFCC chairman also called on the judiciary to place substantive justice above technicalities when dealing with corruption cases.
“We must encourage our criminal justice system to adjudicate in such a way that it will not drag for a very long time.
“Prosecution should not be allowed to last for a maximum of five years from the court of first instance to the Supreme Court. The Senate can work on that very seriously. If we make the administration of the criminal justice system really work, you will see the great work the anti-corruption agencies are doing,” Olukoyede added.
