Financial autonomy should not be taken as an opportunity to embezzle funds, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) warned council chairmen yesterday
EFCC Chairman Olukoyede, issued the warning at a summit tagged: “Local Government Autonomy, Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainable Development” organised in Gombe by the state government, urged the helmsmen at the councils to resist the temptation of fraud.
He reminded them that chairmen and executives at the local government level do not have immunity.
“Any breach of financial law will be prosecuted without delay”, the anti-graft commission boss said.
With local government autonomy granted by the Supreme Court, Olukoyede said the commission would deploy more personnel to Gombe State to monitor fund management.
“Only the governor and deputy governor have constitutional immunity. Local council chairmen, you do not have immunity,” he stated.
Olukoyede added that the EFCC would not wait for officials to finish their tenure before ensuring accountability and transparency in financial matters.
He reminded council chairmen that financial autonomy does not come with constitutional immunity. Therefore, their use of public resources would be strictly monitored.
The EFCC boss described the apex court’s decision on local government autonomy and direct allocation of funds as a welcomed development that should improve council funding.
