Local Government Chairmen Don't Have Immunity - EFCC

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As the controversy surrounding the suspension and eventual impeachment of Local Government Council Chairmen in Edo State continues, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has said that, the Local Government Council Chairmen do not have immunity against prosecution, and vowed to go after them even while in office. “We are not going to wait until you finish your tenure to come after you,” the EFCC Chairman has warned profligate Local Government Chairmen.

Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of EFCC, therefore urged local government chairpersons nationwide to ensure accountability and prudence and uphold accountability and fiscal responsibilities.

Olukoyede echoed the concern of many Nigerians that the chairmen are not exempted from being investigated or prosecuted for fraudulent activities, even when they are in office.

He emphasized that the EFCC will not delay in starting an investigation until a local government chairman’s term concludes.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Wednesday by Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC.

The statement reads: “Local government chairmen do not have immunity, and we are not going to wait until you finish your tenure to come after you.

“The impact of these resources is not felt by the people living in these areas. Instead of serving as catalysts for growth, councils have become mere caricatures that exist only in name.

“He informed them that the Commission has established a Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) Department, adding that officers from the department would be visiting local government councils in Gombe State to monitor the use of enhanced allocations from the Federation Account.

“The EFCC will be paying you visits occasionally to check how you are using the funds. We will come in the evening. Sometimes, you may even see us in your dreams.