Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has warned public officials against treating government appointments as opportunities for personal enrichment, insisting that public service is “not an invitation to loot the treasury.”

Olukoyede gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja while delivering a lecture at a two-day induction programme for the chairman, chief executive officer and members of the governing board of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms.

Speaking on the theme, “The Role of the EFCC in Improving Accountability in the Public Service,” he said corruption continues to undermine prudent management of public resources and deprive Nigerians of critical infrastructure and essential social services.

The EFCC chairman identified contract fraud as the most prevalent form of corruption in Nigeria’s public sector, describing it as the preferred avenue through which some officials enrich themselves.

“From my experience in regulatory compliance, by far the most common form of corruption within the public service space is contract fraud, where those who lead government establishments set out to enrich themselves by rigging the procurement process,” he said.

According to him, contract fraud often manifests through contract splitting to evade approval thresholds, manipulation of bidding processes, awarding contracts to unqualified firms and making payments for poorly executed or abandoned projects.

Olukoyede also listed diversion of public funds, bribery and kickbacks, payroll and pension fraud, duty tour allowance fraud and outright theft of public funds as other common corrupt practices within government institutions.

He urged the newly inaugurated SSDC officials to uphold accountability through ethical and transparent management of public resources.

“I imagine that many of you have been told that your appointment is an opportunity to grab a slice of the proverbial national cake. Please tread with caution. Public service is not an invitation to loot the treasury,” he warned.

Olukoyede advised the officials to familiarise themselves with the Financial Regulations, Public Service Rules and the Public Procurement Act to avoid running foul of the law.

He also cautioned them against operating foreign bank accounts, engaging in businesses that conflict with their official duties, bidding for contracts from agencies where they serve either directly or through proxies, and conducting financial transactions outside recognised financial institutions.

“As members of the SSDC, you should not be jostling for contracts from the commission either directly or through fronts,” he said.

He further urged the officials to maintain proper financial records and exercise caution before signing official documents.

“Before you sign any document, study it carefully. Your signature is your name and your integrity. Guard it,” he advised.

Olukoyede acknowledged that although the EFCC has recorded significant achievements since its establishment in 2003, the commission continues to face challenges, including inadequate manpower and resources, delays in prosecuting high-profile cases, limited public support and persistent allegations of selective investigations. (The Sun)

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