Olukoyede said the EFCC under his watch was deeply interested in giving youths glorious and sustainable future.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has said there will be no sacred cow in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
Speaking on Monday at an anti-corruption concert in Abuja organised to sensitise the public against cybercrimes, Olukoyede said the recent arraignment of two ex-governors shows the EFCC’s holistic approach to fighting against corrupt practices.
Former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, was arraigned in January for alleged N4 billion fraud.
In February, the agency arraigned the immediate-past Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, for alleged N10bn fraud.
A statement by the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, quoted Olukoyede as saying at the concert: “We will not spare anyone. We will not spare the mega thieves. As we are doing the mega, we will also do those at the lower end.
“In the last two months, we have arraigned two former governors. So, it is not true that we are only focused on internet fraudsters.
“Of course, internet fraud is bad enough but our focus is on every form of economic and financial crimes.”
READ ALSO: Ex-Anambra gov, Obiano pleads not guilty to 9-count charge, granted administrative bail
He cautioned youths against indulging in cybercrimes, pointing out that the consequences of being convicted of such crimes were grave.
“Youths need to know that being ex-convicts has career limitations. Ex-convicts can’t run for public office, the stigma alone is even terrible.
“I urge you to avoid internet crimes by all means. Your future is more important than any immediate gains from such crimes,” he said.
Olukoyede said the EFCC under his watch was deeply interested in giving youths glorious and sustainable future.
To this effect, he said a Cybercrime Research Centre was being planned at the EFCC Academy.
“The centre will involve youths in in-depth research about the issue of cybercrime. Their energies will be deployed toward profitable engagements,” he said.
Olukoyede charged the youth to embrace hard work and diligence, stressing that the path to success was hard work and dignity.
“There is dignity in labour. Let’s come together. All of us must come together and agree that corruption is evil. Don’t leave the fight to EFCC alone,” he said.
Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, enjoined youth across the country to support the EFCC in its crusade against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.