EFCC to Local Councils: Financial Autonomy Is No Excuse for Corruption
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned local government chairmen against misusing funds under the guise of financial autonomy.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede issued the warning at a summit titled “Local Government Autonomy, Fiscal Responsibility, and Sustainable Development” in Gombe State, organized by the state government. He urged council executives to uphold financial integrity, emphasizing that autonomy does not mean immunity.
“Any breach of financial law will be prosecuted without delay,” Olukoyede stated.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision granting financial independence to local governments, the EFCC chairman revealed that more personnel would be deployed to Gombe State to monitor fund management.
“Only the governor and deputy governor have constitutional immunity. Local council chairmen, you do not have immunity,” he reiterated.
Olukoyede stressed that the EFCC would not wait for officials to leave office before holding them accountable. He cautioned that local councils have historically mismanaged funds, turning them into “ATMs for corrupt officials.”
He urged council chairmen to use their newfound financial freedom for community development rather than self-enrichment.
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“Acquire more knowledge and build your capacity on relevant laws guiding financial management. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” he advised.
With financial autonomy in place, Olukoyede warned that excuses of state interference would no longer be tolerated, and council leaders would be directly responsible for fund mismanagement.
