Senate President Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday, asked the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, not to use him as an example in the anti-corruption war.
During his screening on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, Olukoyede had cited Akpabio’s name as an example in his presentation on investigating a graft case.
But the new anti-graft chairman suddenly stopped when he realised the mood of lawmakers in the Upper Chamber.
Olukoyede had said: “If we are investigating the Senate President, for example…” This prompted lawmakers to burst into laughter.
The laughter got more intense when Akpabio told the EFCC chairman-nominee not to cite his name as an example in the investigation of a corruption case.
Akpabio said: “I’m very glad that the nominee wants to use the Senate President as an example. But Mr nominee, leave the Senate President for now; look at this direction (pointing at the seats of opposition lawmakers).”
After the loud laughter, however, Olukoyede continued his speech without mentioning anyone’s name, saying: “If you are fighting corruption, you become the enemy of everybody.”
Akpabio has a N108.1 billion alleged money laundering case before the anti-graft agency.
The commission commenced investigation of the former Akwa Ibom governor after a petition by an Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Leo Ekpenyong.
While the EFCC had detained Akpabio over alleged fraud, he has always maintained his innocence.