Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has initiated a restructuring process within the anti-graft agency. As part of this overhaul, Mr. Michael Nzekwe has been appointed as Chief of Staff.
In addition to this key appointment, Olukoyede has designated zonal directors for each of the 14 zonal commands of the commission. Nzekwe, described as a top-notch investigator and lawyer, previously served as the commander of the Ilorin Zonal Command and holds the rank of a course-one officer within the EFCC.
The restructuring efforts also include elevating all Zonal Commands of the Commission to department status, with each headed by a Director. To this end, 14 new directors have been appointed to lead the respective Zonal Commands.
Furthermore, the Security Unit of the EFCC has been upgraded to a department, with a seasoned officer appointed as Director of Security and Chief Security Officer.
Notably, a new department has been established within the Executive Chairman’s office, headed by former Makurdi Zonal Commander, Mr. Friday Ebelo. This department, titled Director and Coordinator of Special Duties, is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency.
As part of the restructuring, the former Department of Internal Affairs has been renamed the Department of Ethics and Integrity, and minor reshuffling has been carried out in some departments at the headquarters.
A significant aspect of the restructuring involves the creation of a new department tasked with driving the preventive mandate of the EFCC. Termed the Fraud Risk Assessment and Control Department, its operations have commenced with the aim of making a tangible impact nationwide in the near future.
Olukoyede emphasized that the ongoing restructuring is geared towards repositioning and strengthening the EFCC to effectively fulfill its mandate.