Senate confirms Olukoyede, Hammajoda as EFCC chairman, secretary

The Senate confirmed Ola Olukoyede as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday.

The red chamber also confirmed Muhammad Hammajoda’s appointment as the anti-graft agency’s Secretary.

Both individuals were confirmed after being screened by the upper chamber on Wednesday afternoon, almost a week after being nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

The Senate also reviewed and approved Halima Shehu’s appointment as CEO of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

The President, on October 12, named Olukoyede and Hammajoda as chair and secretary to the commission, respectively.

Since the election of President on May 29, 2023, the leadership of the country’s primary anti-corruption agency has been shaking.

On June 14, 2023, the President removed Abdulrasheed Bawa as the head of the anti-graft agency for an indeterminate period of time. Bawa was suspended “to allow for a thorough investigation into his actions while in office.” The move was taken in response to “weighty” charges of abuse of office levied against him.

The President then authorised the Commission’s Director of Operations, Abdulkarim Chukkol, to serve as acting EFCC chair while the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Bawa.

However, with his appointment last Thursday and Senate confirmation on Wednesday, Olukoyede is now the commission’s new chairman.

According to Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesman, Olukoyede’s appointment is for a four-year renewable term in the first instance.

He further stated that the President appointed Hammajoda as the EFCC’s Secretary for a five-year renewable tenure in the first instance.

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