By Atomide Otitoju
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged state governments, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations to monitor the financial activities of local government administrations to curb corruption at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the Gombe State Local Government Summit in the North-East, Olukoyede decried the lack of accountability in council finances, describing local governments as “automatic teller machines” for corrupt public officials. He emphasized the urgent need for structural reforms to prevent the mismanagement of public funds.
Local Governments as ‘ATMs’ for Corrupt Officials
Olukoyede expressed concern over the widespread embezzlement of local government funds through fraudulent contracts, procurement scams, and outright diversion of resources. He criticized the trend of local government chairmen residing in state capitals, only visiting their councils once a month to share federal allocations.
“The effects of corruption in our local governments are glaring—dilapidated roads, ill-equipped hospitals, and a general lack of development. Councils seem to exist only for the payment of salaries, while the remainder of funds are unaccounted for,” he stated.
He called for a renewed commitment to financial integrity, urging council leaders to manage resources responsibly and ensure transparency in governance.
‘No Immunity for Greedy Local Government Chairmen’
With the Supreme Court’s recent ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments, Olukoyede stressed that council chairmen must be prepared to properly manage funds and implement strategic development projects. He reminded them that while they now enjoy financial independence, they do not have constitutional immunity from prosecution.
“The application of your resources will be strictly monitored, not only by anti-corruption agencies but also by the state government. Local government funds must be judiciously appropriated and utilized for the benefit of the people,” he warned.
Call for Stronger Oversight and Accountability
The EFCC chairman emphasized the need for stronger accountability structures, including functional legislative arms at the local government level. He noted that many council legislative units are inactive, allowing chairmen to act as sole administrators without oversight.
“Without full autonomy for local government structures, chairmen will continue to operate unchecked, undermining due process and accountability,” he said.
Olukoyede called on traditional rulers and civil society groups to take a proactive role in monitoring local government activities. He urged them to track budgets, conduct oversight functions, and report cases of financial mismanagement to anti-graft agencies.
“We must all take an interest in how local government resources are spent. Where there is evidence of corruption, civil society organizations have a duty to alert the EFCC for immediate intervention,” he added.
The EFCC chairman reiterated the agency’s commitment to tackling corruption at all levels, warning that those found guilty of financial mismanagement will face the full force of the law.
