EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede disclosed that he rejected ₦500 million in burial gifts from top officials, citing ethical concerns. Speaking at an anti-corruption conference, he emphasized the importance of integrity, revealing how rejecting the funds shielded him from later scrutiny. His stance sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has disclosed that he refused ₦500 million in gifts from top government officials during his mother’s burial in 2019. Speaking at an anti-corruption conference in Abuja, Olukoyede emphasized that accepting such money could have compromised his position and integrity.
According to him, the funds came in the form of cheques and bank drafts from ministers, directors, and heads of agencies. However, he decided to return the money, recognizing the potential ethical implications, especially since some of the donors were under EFCC investigation.
Olukoyede highlighted how rejecting the funds saved him from scrutiny when he later faced an internal probe in 2020. He noted that investigators reviewed his financial records, and had he deposited the cheques, it could have raised red flags.
Additionally, the EFCC boss shared instances where he turned down family members’ bids for government auctions under his supervision, reinforcing his commitment to transparency. He stressed that maintaining integrity requires making difficult decisions, even when they come at a personal cost.
His revelations sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians praising his stance on ethics, while others questioned whether declining the money was enough or if the sources should have been further investigated.
