The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has urged graduating cadets of Regular Course 8 of the Nigeria Police Academy (POLAC) to take ownership of the fight against corruption, describing it as critical to securing Nigeria’s future.
Olukoyede gave the charge while delivering a lecture titled “The Fight Against Corruption: The Role of the Nigeria Police Force” to the graduating cadets.
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He was represented at the occasion by the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Friday S. Ebelo.
The EFCC Chairman said the Nigeria Police Force occupied a critical position in the country’s anti-corruption efforts because of its close presence within communities and at the grassroots.
He noted that while the EFCC remained the leading agency responsible for investigating, prosecuting, recovering assets and preventing economic and financial crimes, the Police continued to serve as the first line of defence in law enforcement.
Olukoyede stressed that police officers must maintain high ethical standards if they were to effectively combat corruption.
He warned officers against practices such as extortion, compromising investigations, falsifying police diaries and perverting the course of justice for financial gain.
According to him, corruption extends beyond direct financial misconduct to include administrative and ethical compromises that could undermine public institutions and weaken the justice system.
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Citing Section 104 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 and the Police Code of Conduct, Olukoyede reminded the cadets that corrupt practices constituted serious misconduct, which could attract dismissal and criminal prosecution.
He warned that failure to effectively address corruption could contribute to weak economic growth, rising unemployment, security challenges and a compromised future for younger generations.
The EFCC Chairman said a reduction in corruption could, on the other hand, contribute to improved international confidence, increased foreign direct investment and better socio-economic conditions.
He also outlined the EFCC’s approach to combating economic and financial crimes, noting that its responsibilities extended beyond prosecution to include asset tracing and recovery.
Olukoyede cited recoveries made by the Commission, including real estate, local and foreign currencies and gold bars, and said recovered assets were returned to the Federal Government in accordance with established procedures.
The EFCC Chairman urged the graduating cadets to apply the knowledge and training they had acquired, uphold human rights and place public service above personal interests.
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He also encouraged them to maintain strong ethical and spiritual values as they began their careers in law enforcement.
Olukoyede challenged the cadets to consider the personal contributions they were prepared to make towards combating corruption, stressing that the future of the country depended on the collective commitment of citizens and institutions to integrity and accountability.