JUST IN: SENATE CONFIRMS OLUKOYEDE AS EFCC CHAIRMAN, HAMMAJODA AS SECRETARY

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Ola Olukoyede was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday to lead the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The appointment of Muhammad Hammajoda as the anti-graft agency’s secretary was also confirmed by the red chamber.

About a week after President Bola Tinubu nominated them, both men were confirmed on Wednesday afternoon after being screened by the upper chamber.

Additionally, the nomination of Halima Shehu to lead the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) was reviewed by the Senate and approved.

Olukoyede and Hammajoda were named by the President on October 12, 2023, as the commission’s chair and secretary, respectively.

Since May 29, 2023, when the president took office, there has been a change in the head of the nation’s main anti-graft agency.

Abdulrasheed Bawa, the head of the anti-graft agency, was placed on indefinite leave by the President on June 14, 2023. “To allow for a proper investigation into his conduct while in office,” Bawa was placed on suspension. The measure was taken in response to “weighty” accusations of his misuse of office.

After that, the President gave Abdulkarim Chukkol, the Commission’s Director of Operations, instructions to serve as the interim EFCC chair while Bawa was being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).

But with Olukoyede’s appointment last Thursday and the Senate’s ratification on Wednesday, he takes over as the commission’s new leader.

Olukoyede’s appointment is initially for a renewable term of four years, as stated by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale.

He added that, initially, the President nominated Hammajoda to be the EFCC Secretary for a five-year renewable tenure.