The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has raised concerns over widespread corruption among public officials, alleging that public funds are being stolen every minute.
Olukoyede made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi.
He disclosed that the commission receives more than 20,000 petitions annually concerning public corruption, describing the allegations contained in many of the petitions as disturbing.
“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files you will weep.
“The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC chairman alleged that some public officials assume office with less than N100,000 in their bank accounts but accumulate millions of dollars within three years.
According to him, investigations have also uncovered cases involving public officers who allegedly acquired hundreds of houses while still occupying government positions.
Olukoyede warned that corruption was severely damaging Nigeria and depriving citizens of resources needed for national development.
He called for collective action against the misappropriation of public funds and urged Nigerians to demand greater accountability from their leaders.
The EFCC chairman stressed that public officials must be prepared to account for their activities while in office, insisting that transparency and accountability should remain fundamental principles of public service.
