Olukoyede charges cadets on integrity, says Nigerians look up to EFCC to end corruption

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says Nigerians look up to the anti-graft agency to end corruption in the country.

Olukoyede said this at the Passing Out Parade ceremony of the newly-commissioned Detective Assistant Cadets, Course 5 of the EFCC, at Nigeria Police Mobile Training College, Ende Hills in Nasarawa State on Friday, February 14, 2025.

The EFCC boss enjoined the 169 cadets to imbibe the culture of integrity and discipline in the discharge of their duties.

Olukoyede also charged the cadets to uphold EFCC’s core values of integrity, courage, professionalism and collaboration.

Olukoyede noted that the future and well-being of Nigeria are tied to the sustenance of the fight against corruption and economic and financial crimes.

He said: “As new officers of the EFCC, you are now a critical part of our mission to eradicate economic and financial crimes through prevention, enforcement and coordination. A lot of trust is placed on you as cadets of the Commission. Your family, the EFCC, and the entire citizens of Nigeria look up to you to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity. You must give no room for compromise, nor tolerance for misconduct.

“In the course of performing your duties, you are likely to face challenges that will test your integrity and commitment. However, be assured that the cases you investigate, arrests you make, assets you recover and every illegal financial transaction you uncover in the course of your duties not only help in attaining the vision and mission of the Commission but also work for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians at large.

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“Let me once again remind us that the fight against economic and financial crimes is one on which the future of our nation depends. Nigeria looks up to the EFCC for solutions to the pervasive corruption as well as help in stimulating the economy.

“The Commission is also the beacon of hope in addressing concerns about cybercrime and other variants of financial crimes driven by technology.”

In his remarks, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule noted that the EFCC needed enough manpower as well as the involvement of all well-meaning Nigerians to achieve success in the anti-corruption fight, adding that the coming on board of the fresh cadets further demonstrates the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to strengthen the EFCC and improve the quality of its manpower for effective service delivery.

Sule said: “Leaders at various tiers of government have a responsibility to support agencies like the EFCC in this critical fight.  It is for this reason that Nasarawa State having reconsidered the critical role of the EFCC, pulled out from the legal tussle against the EFCC regarding its statutory powers.

“Let me take the liberty of this occasion to reiterate that Nasarawa State is the Home of Solid Minerals. This sector, as you are all aware, represents a new frontier for investment, and we need the assistance of agencies such as the EFCC to enhance transparency and build investors’ confidence in our economy, as well as promote the ease of doing business, essentially in boosting revenue in this critical artery of the economy.”

The Star