President Bola Tinubu has taken a significant step towards strengthening the anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. In accordance with the provisions outlined in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act of 2004, the President has exercised his authority to appoint the EFCC Chairman and Secretary for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede as the Executive Chairman and Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda as the Secretary of the Commission has been announced.
The appointments mentioned in the statement released from Abuja were announced by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, who serves as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity. Mr. Ola Olukoyede, an individual possessing extensive expertise in the field of legal affairs, namely in the areas of regulatory compliance consultancy, fraud management, and corporate intelligence, has been appointed as the designated leader of the EFCC. This appointment is contingent upon Senate approval and is expected to span an initial duration of four years. The candidate, Mr. Olukoyede, possesses a significant professional background inside the EFCC, having held the positions of Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman from 2016 to 2018 and then served as Secretary to the Commission from 2018 to 2023. This vast experience renders him a suitable contender for the role, as it aligns with the stipulated statutory prerequisites.
The aforementioned appointments have been made subsequent to the departure of Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former Executive Chairman of the EFCC. This development signifies the commencement of a new phase and the introduction of reinvigorated leadership within the Commission.
During a distinct appointment, President Tinubu has officially appointed Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Mr. Hammajoda is an experienced public administrator specializing in public finance management. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maiduguri, and subsequently pursued a Masters in Business Administration at the same university. The individual’s professional journey commenced with a position as an educator at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi. Subsequently, he transitioned into the banking industry, where he achieved notable accomplishments during his time at both the now-defunct Allied Bank and Standard Trust Bank. The appointment of Mr. Hammajoda is designated for an initial duration of five years, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
President Bola Tinubu has articulated his unwavering faith in the newly appointed leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and underscored their pivotal role in pursuing the revitalized anti-corruption agenda. The individual emphasized that the government is dedicated to undertaking a revitalized effort to combat corruption, supported by a restructured institutional framework within the anti-corruption sector. This initiative serves as a fundamental component of his “Renewed Hope” plan for Nigeria. The anticipated objective of the newly appointed leadership is to further enhance the Commission’s extensive track record in addressing financial crimes and corruption inside the nation.
