The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has revealed that he turned down gifts amounting to nearly N500 million from various high-ranking officials during his mother’s funeral in 2019.
Speaking at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja on Thursday, Olukoyede explained that ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, and other government officials had sent him cheques and drafts as condolence gifts.
Upon returning to his family home in Ekiti State, he discovered a box filled with cheques, which he later counted to be close to N500 million. He chose to return the money, emphasizing the importance of integrity in public service.
“If I had deposited those cheques into my account, it could have been used against me during investigations. That is what you call integrity—going beyond the level of expectation,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss also recounted how he rejected attempts by family members to secure auction contracts for forfeited assets during his time as EFCC Secretary. He shredded his brother-in-law’s application and refused his elder brother’s request to buy a truck, citing conflict of interest.
Olukoyede’s revelations have sparked discussions on ethics and corruption risks in Nigeria’s public sector.
More details to follow…
