A coalition of 30 anti-corruption Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, accusing him of failing to prosecute former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, despite numerous petitions and allegations of multi-billion naira fraud and bribery.
Operating under the banner of the “Global Initiative for Corruption Eradication” (GICE), the CSOs also demanded Ganduje’s immediate arrest. They claim that Ganduje, who no longer enjoys immunity, is being protected by the Federal Government through the EFCC, despite substantial evidence against him.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, GICE spokesperson Comrade Anthony Onoja highlighted several unresolved cases involving Ganduje, including the infamous “dollar video” scandal, the N50 billion in allegedly diverted local government funds, and a N1 billion probe. Onoja emphasized, “It’s been over 2,200 days since the dollar video scandal broke, yet the EFCC remains silent.”
The coalition urged Nigerians and international bodies to unite against the EFCC’s inaction, calling it an affront to the nation’s fight against corruption. They warned that the EFCC’s failure to act is undermining public trust, accusing the agency of being a tool for political suppression rather than an independent body committed to justice.
“The EFCC Chairman must resign if he fails to arrest and prosecute Ganduje as required by law,” Onoja stated. He further criticized the EFCC for selective prosecution, accusing the commission of protecting corrupt officials and straying from its mandate.
The CSOs pointed out that Ganduje has repeatedly failed to appear in court for his bribery and misappropriation cases, even skipping arraignments scheduled from April to July 2024. Despite court rulings allowing him to be tried in absentia, no further action has been taken against the former governor, who now serves as the National Chairman of the ruling party.
The group concluded by calling for a complete overhaul of the EFCC, suggesting that the agency’s inefficiency may stem from its unconstitutional setup, as recently challenged by Nigerian states in the Supreme Court.
The CSOs believe that a restructured EFCC, backed by proper legal frameworks, would be better equipped to fulfill its mandate and restore its credibility in the fight against corruption.
