The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has decried the lack of compliance
with best practices, rules and regulation in Ministries, Departments and
Agencies, MDAs in the country, stressing that it is one of the gateways to
corruption in Nigeria.
He made the observation in Abuja on Tuesday,
April 29, 2025 while addressing a delegation from the National Agency for
Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, led by its Executive Vice
Chairman, Khalil Halilu at the Commission’s headquarters.
He pointed out that government agencies and
private concerns in Nigeria are falling short of compliance with established
regulations, making them prone to compromises, abuses and
corruption.
If there's anything most of our MDAs are
lacking, it is the issue of compliance. We don't comply, and
that is a problem. There is lack of compliance in the process of
award of contract, management processes, financial regulations and all
that. Most agencies don't comply and that's what leads to corruption and
financial crimes. When you don't comply, it's a breach. And the
moment there is a breach, it gives room for anything. And you will discover
that others who have been waiting and watching you will now take advantage of
that and perpetrate more evil that you can never envisage,” he said.
While applauding the current NASENI leadership for its
strides and especially for
developing Corruption Risk Assessment, CRA and
Standard Operating Procedure, SOP in conjunction with the EFCC, Olukoyede noted
that the readiness of NASENI staff to be guided by the documents was of more
paramount importance. He assured the Agency of EFCC’s continuous support.
“CRA is good, but the CRA will not bring any
change except if the people are ready to change and follow due
process. I want to salute your courage for the modest
achievements you have made in the course of your stay in the office”, he
said.
Halilu who expressed delight with the good working
relationship between the two agencies disclosed that the visit was to express
NASENI’s gratitude to the EFCC and to plead for the sustenance of the goodwill
from the Commission.
“One of the early things I did when I took over the
seat was to invite EFCC to come and see our processes and
procedures and how we can further strengthen them. So we just
came here to thank you for the relationship”, he said.
The process of formulating NASENI’s CRA and SOP began
in 2022 with a composition of a joint team, made of nine EFCC officers and 10
officials of NASENI. Work on the documents was concluded late last year. The
SOP emerged as a 1900 page document, compiled in 45 booklets.
Halilu says the project is a great achievement
for NASENI. “That is why we are here
today to appreciate the EFCC for supporting us, for giving
us nine of their best men to evaluate NASENI and to give NASENI suggestions on the
way forward and how to prevent corruption. We want a continuous
relationship.
