Abuja – Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has revealed how he turned down monetary gifts totaling nearly N500 million from government officials during his mother’s funeral in 2019.
Speaking at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja on Thursday, Olukoyede disclosed that the substantial gifts, which included cheques and bank drafts, were sent by ministers, directors, and heads of government agencies while he was serving as the commission’s secretary.
Recounting the incident, he explained that upon arriving at his family home in Ekiti State ahead of the burial, his gatekeeper presented him with a box containing multiple cheques from high-ranking officials. Additionally, he found about 17 cows, including pregnant ones, delivered to his compound.
“I showed the cheques to my wife, and she said, ‘Praise God.’ But I asked, ‘Praise God for what?’” Olukoyede stated. “When we totaled them, the amount was close to N500 million. I decided to return them immediately.”
He further explained that less than a year later, in July 2020, he was placed under investigation. Had he accepted the funds, he noted, it could have raised suspicions, especially since some of the individuals offering the gifts were under EFCC scrutiny at the time.
“Even though those gifts would not have influenced my decisions, how would I have explained them if they had been traced to my account?” he said.
Olukoyede’s revelation underscores the ongoing challenges of corruption in public office and the ethical dilemmas faced by officials in positions of power.
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