I Rejected N500m Given to Me by Ministers, Others During My Mother’s Burial – EFCC Chairman
In a remarkable statement made at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR) Conference in Abuja, Olanipekun Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), shared a compelling account of his decision to reject a staggering sum of N500 million offered to him by high-ranking officials during the funeral of his mother. Olukoyede’s revelation has drawn significant attention, not only because of the size of the gift but also due to the ethical considerations it raises about corruption and integrity within Nigeria’s political and public service landscape.
The conference, which took place on February 27, 2025, was hosted by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) and was centered around the theme “Ethics, Integrity, Corruption Risk Assessments, and Anti-Corruption at National and Sub-National Levels in Nigeria: Sustaining the Fight Against Corruption.” During his keynote speech, Olukoyede recounted the events that unfolded in 2019, which ultimately tested his personal and professional ethics.
In 2019, Olukoyede experienced the painful loss of his mother in Ekiti State. As a man who had been in public service for several years and had built a reputation for integrity and dedication, the funeral presented him with an opportunity to reflect on the values that had guided his career. However, it also became an occasion where his ethics would be tested in the face of substantial financial gifts from influential figures in Nigeria’s public sector.
Olukoyede shared that as preparations for the funeral were underway, he arrived a day before the event. Upon entering his small family home in Ekiti State, which he had built years before assuming any position in the EFCC, he was greeted with a strange sight—17 cows, some of which were pregnant, had been brought into his compound. The cattle, typically a traditional offering during significant ceremonies in Nigeria, were accompanied by an even more surprising gift: a carton filled with checks and drafts. These financial instruments came from a variety of high-ranking government officials, including ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, and directors-general (DGs) of federal agencies.
According to Olukoyede, the total amount of the checks, once added up, was close to N500 million. The unexpected generosity from the officials left him in a state of shock. He turned to his wife to share the news, but it was not the joyful reaction he might have anticipated. His wife, while acknowledging the financial gesture, asked a crucial question: “Praise God for what?” Olukoyede, who was already deeply uncomfortable with the situation, began to consider the implications of accepting such a large amount of money.
Olukoyede’s decision to reject the N500 million was not one he made lightly. As someone in a senior position within the EFCC, he understood that accepting such gifts, especially from individuals who were likely under investigation or scrutiny by the anti-corruption agency, could be construed as a conflict of interest. The EFCC, as the body responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption within Nigeria, requires its officials to maintain the highest standards of integrity.
In his speech, Olukoyede explained that although such financial gifts could be interpreted as part of Nigeria’s cultural and traditional practices, he wondered whether it was wise or ethical for him, as the EFCC Secretary at the time, to accept them. The timing of the gift was particularly troubling. Just months after the funeral, in July 2020, Olukoyede found himself under investigation by the EFCC, the very agency he was a part of. He reflected on the potential consequences if he had deposited the cheques into his account. Given the public scrutiny he was under, especially as the head of the EFCC, it would have been an incredibly difficult position to explain the origins of the money, especially if some of the checks came from individuals under investigation by his own agency.
“Assuming all those cheques were paid into my account as traditional gifts, as people said, and some of the MDAs that we were investigating in the EFCC, some of their directors and their DGs and their ministers, sent checks to me… how would I have explained, before a panel? And they saw cheques paid into my account,” Olukoyede questioned. He further elaborated on the potential fallout had the money been found in his account during an investigation, noting that it could have been used as evidence to question his integrity and even derail his career.
In the face of such temptations, Olukoyede made a clear stand: he rejected the financial gifts. He took the cheques, wrote a letter to the individuals who had sent them, and returned them. This act, according to Olukoyede, was a demonstration of his commitment to maintaining integrity, even when it seemed easier or more convenient to accept the gifts and the potential benefits they might bring.
The consequences of Olukoyede’s rejection of the gifts were far-reaching. In addition to the financial aspect of the gifts, the incident brought to light the challenges of working within a public sector system where corruption is rampant, and the lines between personal gain and professional duty are often blurred. Olukoyede’s decision was not just about turning down money; it was about taking a stand against the normalization of corruption in Nigerian public life.
His decision also had a personal dimension. Olukoyede explained that his family members were not entirely supportive of his decision at first, especially given the large sum of money involved. The financial support would have been a considerable relief to many people, especially in the context of a traditional burial, where expenses can be substantial. But Olukoyede was resolute in his choice, recognizing that his personal and professional reputation was worth more than any temporary financial gain.
Despite his rejection of the N500 million, Olukoyede was not immune to further scrutiny. Within a year of the incident, he found himself under investigation by the EFCC, an irony not lost on many observers. Had he accepted the money, the investigation might have been framed differently. Perhaps it would have been more difficult for him to defend himself against allegations of corruption if the cheques had been found in his account. The rejection, therefore, was not only an act of personal integrity but also a strategic decision to safeguard his career and his credibility in the face of what could have been a career-ending scandal.
Olukoyede’s experience during his mother’s burial is not an isolated one. It underscores the larger challenges faced by public servants in Nigeria, where corruption is deeply entrenched in the political and bureaucratic systems. The temptation to accept bribes, kickbacks, and gifts is constant, particularly for those in positions of power. However, Olukoyede’s actions set a powerful example for other public officials, showing that integrity is not just about avoiding financial scandals but also about making difficult choices in the face of temptation.
In his speech, Olukoyede also recalled another instance when he rejected an offer from his own family members. As the EFCC Secretary, Olukoyede was in charge of managing forfeited assets, including overseeing auctions of assets seized from corrupt individuals. His brother-in-law, an international auctioneer, applied to be an auctioneer for one of these sales, but Olukoyede rejected his application. Even when his elder brother approached him for help in securing a bid under a different name, Olukoyede stood firm, reminding him of the conflict of interest rules that prohibited EFCC officials from having personal stakes in such transactions.
This commitment to integrity was put to the test when, months later, Olukoyede found himself and his EFCC chairman under investigation. Had his family members been allowed to participate in the auction process, it could have led to accusations of nepotism and favoritism, potentially tarnishing his reputation and undermining the credibility of the EFCC.
Olanipekun Olukoyede’s decision to reject N500 million during his mother’s funeral, as well as his consistent refusal to allow family members to benefit from his public office, serves as an important lesson in ethics and accountability. In a country where corruption has long been a challenge, Olukoyede’s story highlights the importance of personal integrity in upholding the values of public service. While the temptation to accept gifts and favors may be strong, especially in the context of Nigeria’s traditional practices, the ability to reject such offers is a powerful statement about one’s commitment to serving the public with honesty and transparency.
His actions also underscore the importance of transparency within the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies. If public officials are to effectively fight corruption, they must demonstrate a commitment to ethical behavior in their own lives. Olukoyede’s refusal to accept the financial gifts was not just a personal choice—it was a necessary step in preserving the credibility of the EFCC and ensuring that the agency’s fight against corruption remained untarnished.
