The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a stern warning to council chairmen across Nigeria, including those in Gombe State, cautioning them against misusing the financial autonomy granted to local governments for embezzlement.
Speaking at the Gombe State Local Government Summit, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede emphasized that such autonomy does not confer immunity from prosecution. He made it clear that any mismanagement of funds would be met with swift legal action, noting that only governors and their deputies are granted constitutional immunity.
“Council chairmen do not have immunity. Mismanagement of funds will attract immediate prosecution,” Olukoyede stated, adding that the EFCC would be deploying additional personnel to closely monitor the management of local government finances in Gombe. While he commended the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy as a vital opportunity to boost grassroots development, he also expressed concerns about the potential for financial abuse.
Olukoyede urged council chairmen to prioritize transparency and to channel their financial independence into projects that positively impact their communities. “Build your capacity on laws guiding financial management. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” he warned.
The summit, themed ‘Local Government Autonomy, Fiscal Responsibility, and Sustainable Development,’ underscored the critical need for accountability to ensure that local governments fulfill their obligations effectively.
