Daniel Bwala, the spokesperson for the presidential campaign raised the objection on Olukayode's appointment on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, saying the appointment violates Section 2 of the Commission's Act.
The campaign organisation of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said that the appointment of Ola Olukayode as the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is illegal.
Daniel Bwala, the spokesperson for the presidential campaign raised the objection on Olukayode's appointment on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, saying the appointment violates Section 2 of the Commission's Act.
The appointment of Olukayode as EFCC Chairman by PBAT is unlawful and illegal. It runs foul of the provisions of Section 2 of the EFCC ACT which requires that the person to be appointed as EFCC Chairman must amongst other things have
1. Been a serving or retired member of any…
— D. H Bwala (@BwalaDaniel) October 12, 2023
According to Bwala, the Section 2 of the EFCC Act requires that the person to be appointed as the chairman of the anti-graft agency, amongst other things, must have been a serving or retired member of any security or law enforcement agency.
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday approved the appointment of Olukoyede as EFCC's new Chairman for a renewable term of four years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.
Olukayode's appointment comes nearly four months after the president suspended the embattled Chairman of the agency, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Reacting to the appointment of the new EFCC Chairman, Bwala who is also a lawyer said, "The appointment of Olukayode as EFCC Chairman by PBAT is unlawful and illegal. It runs foul of the provisions of Section 2 of the EFCC ACT which requires that the person to be appointed as EFCC Chairman must amongst other things have
"Been a serving or retired member of any security or law enforcement agency. Must have 15 years cognate experience of law enforcement, and must not be below the rank of assistant commissioner of police.
"Olukayode is a private legal practitioner and has never worked or belonged to any security or law enforcement agency as a member.
"He does not have 15 years cognate experience as a law enforcement officer and his private legal practice years cannot be equated to the rank in law enforcement.
"Not enough attending seminar courses as a private legal practitioner can equate to 15 years cognate experience contemplated by section 2 of the Act.
"He only has a stint as Chief of Staff of Magu and later became a secretary of the Commission, all of which last for less than six years.
"This government never ceases to amaze Nigerians. Who knows, maybe he is being appointed for a mission. God help NIgeria."