Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has raised concerns about the recent appointments of the Chairmen of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) both hailing from the same South-West region of Nigeria.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, Falana emphasized the importance of adhering to the federal character principle in such appointments, noting that it was inappropriate to have the heads of the two top anti-graft agencies in the country come from the same region.
In line with the federal character principle, Falana argued that if the EFCC Chairman is from the South, it would be reasonable for the ICPC Chairman to come from a different geopolitical zone, and vice versa.
While acknowledging the qualifications of the recently appointed EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN), Falana highlighted that having both leaders from the South-West geopolitical zone goes against the spirit of federal character.
He also explained that according to the law in Nigeria today, appointments in the public service must adhere to the federal character principle, ensuring equitable representation across various regions. If there are two positions, one must go to the North and one to the South. Similarly, if there are four positions, two must go to the South, and two to the North, and so on.
In essence, Falana’s criticism centers on the need for the government to consider the principles of federal character in making such appointments to ensure fair representation and to avoid regional dominance in critical leadership roles within these anti-corruption agencies.
