Public Office Is Not A Licence To Steal’ — EFCC Sends Strong Warning To Government Officials

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has cautioned public office holders against abusing their positions for personal gain, stressing that public service is a duty to protect national resources, not an avenue for self-enrichment.

Olukoyede gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja while delivering a lecture at a two-day induction programme organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) for the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and members of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC).

Speaking on the theme, “The Role of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Improving Accountability in the Public Service,” the EFCC chairman said accountability demands that public resources be managed responsibly, transparently and solely in the interest of Nigerians.

He decried the persistent impact of corruption on public service, noting that billions of naira meant for infrastructure and essential social services are lost every year through fraudulent activities.

“Annual losses to corruption in Nigeria’s public service run into billions of naira as funds meant for physical infrastructure and social services are diverted for private use by public officials,” Olukoyede said.

He identified diversion of public funds, bribery, kickbacks, contract fraud, payroll and pension fraud, duty tour allowance fraud and outright theft of public funds as some of the most prevalent forms of corruption in government institutions.

According to him, procurement and contract-related fraud remain the biggest sources of corruption in the public sector.

“From my experience in regulatory compliance, contract fraud is by far the most common form of corruption in public service, where heads of government institutions manipulate procurement processes to enrich themselves,” he stated.

Olukoyede explained that such abuses often involve contract splitting to bypass approval limits, bid manipulation, awarding contracts to unqualified companies and approving payments for abandoned or poorly executed projects.

Addressing the newly inaugurated SSDC board members, he urged them to resist the temptation of viewing their appointments as an opportunity to share in the nation’s wealth.

“I know many of you have received countless congratulatory messages, with some people reminding you that this is your chance to get a share of the so-called national cake. Be careful. Public service is not an invitation to loot the treasury,” he warned.

He advised the officials to study and comply with the Financial Regulations, Public Service Rules and the Public Procurement Act in the discharge of their duties.

The EFCC chairman also highlighted challenges facing the anti-corruption fight, including limited resources, inadequate manpower, weak public support, delays in prosecuting high-profile cases and allegations of selective prosecution.

Olukoyede further warned the SSDC officials against maintaining foreign bank accounts, engaging in businesses that conflict with their official responsibilities, bidding for contracts from their own agency through proxies or conducting financial transactions outside recognised financial institutions.

“As members of the SSDC, ensure you understand the Procurement Act and strictly comply with it. You should never seek contracts from the commission, either directly or through third parties,” he said.

He concluded by urging the officials to maintain accurate financial records and carefully examine documents before appending their signatures.

“Always read and understand every document before signing it. Your signature represents your identity and your integrity. Protect it,” Olukoyede said.