Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has cautioned members of the newly inaugurated board and management of the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, OSOPADEC, against mismanagement of public funds, warning that the Commission would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found culpable of corruption.
Speaking through Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Williams Oseghale, during a sensitisation lecture titled “Safeguarding the Commission Against Corrupt Practices” in Akure, Olukoyede said corruption within public institutions remains a major obstacle to development in oil-producing communities.
He charged the board to uphold fiscal responsibility and integrity in all dealings, noting that accountability was key to effective governance and sustainable development.
“Public funds must be treated as a sacred trust. The only way to guard OSOPADEC against corrupt practices is for the board and management to uphold integrity, courage, professionalism, and collaboration. If we discharge our duties with these values, there will be no issues whatsoever.”
Olukoyede emphasised that fiscal accountability was central to preventing financial mismanagement and ensuring that public resources are channelled into productive projects that directly impact citizens.
“It is my sincere belief that if every board member and management staff of OSOPADEC upholds these values strictly, the Commission will, in no distant time, transform into a foremost institution that the state will be proud of,” he stated.
The EFCC boss also urged the officials to embrace transparency and personal responsibility in their operations, stressing that fighting corruption requires both institutional and individual commitment.
“The onus is on us as individuals to be accountable, transparent, and committed to due process. We enjoin board members, top management, and staff to be foot soldiers in safeguarding public institutions against corrupt practices,” he said.
Olukoyede encouraged OSOPADEC staff to report any suspicious activities through the EFCC’s Eagle Eye mobile application, describing it as an anonymous, digital reporting tool that empowers citizens to expose financial misconduct without fear.
“When you see something, you must say something, and the EFCC will do something,” he declared. “The Eagle Eye app is a platform that makes this easier. I urge you to take advantage of it and become whistleblowers.”
He noted that the EFCC has made significant progress in the fight against corruption, citing several convictions and asset recoveries as evidence of the Commission’s effectiveness.
“We have secured convictions of former governors, managing directors of banks, senior police and military officers, and top civil servants. The recent forfeiture of 753 duplexes in Abuja and the deportation of 192 foreigners involved in cybercrimes and money laundering show that we are determined to win this war, no matter how long it takes,” he said.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Olaleye Poroye Olabiyi, commended the EFCC for the engagement, describing it as timely and insightful.
“We are deeply grateful to the EFCC for this enlightenment. The lecture has reminded us that transparency is not optional, it is the foundation of public service,” Olabiyi said.
Also speaking, Professor Tomola Obamuyi, the programme facilitator, said the sensitisation was a vital step in ensuring that public officers understand their ethical obligations. “When accountability becomes a culture, development becomes inevitable,” he added.
