The House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes has summoned Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), to appear by July 30 over budgetary allocation concerns.
The committee insists Olukoyede and his management team must address questions about the EFCC’s budget performance and challenges.
Rep. Obinna Onwusibe, the committee chairman, expressed dissatisfaction during an oversight visit to the EFCC office in Abuja.
He criticised the “snobbish attitude” of Olukoyede and the refusal to grant the committee members access to the EFCC complex.
After being denied entry, the committee members returned to the National Assembly. This visit had been prearranged with the EFCC, with both parties agreeing on the date.
Unexpectedly, the committee was informed that Olukoyede had an emergency at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which was not explained.
“In performing our constitutional functions, we had written to the EFCC for this oversight visit,” Onwusibe said, noting that the final letter was sent last week, confirming the oversight visit for that day.
The visit aimed to review the EFCC’s budget performance as allocated by the National Assembly and to identify operational challenges faced by the EFCC.
The committee had requested the presence of Olukoyede and all zonal commanders for a direct discussion, but they were not present.
Due to the absence of the EFCC representatives, the committee decided to halt the oversight visit and summon Olukoyede and his team to appear before it.
“As far as we’re concerned, the functions and integrity of this 10th National Assembly cannot be taken for granted,” Onwusibe emphasised.
He concluded, “We’ve written several times to the commission requesting information and documents and are yet to receive them.”
