Olukoyede: Senior Civil Servants Behind Majority of Abuja’s Lavish Properties
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has disclosed that a significant number of luxury homes in Abuja’s upscale neighborhoods especially Asokoro and Maitama are owned by civil servants, not politicians.
Speaking in an interview shared via his official X handle, Olukoyede suggested that corruption within the civil service may be even more entrenched than in the political class.
According to him, EFCC investigations have shown that politicians rarely operate alone in financial crimes. Instead, they rely heavily on high-ranking bureaucrats—whom he referred to as “establishment people”—to facilitate fraudulent activities.
Citing a specific case, Olukoyede revealed that the EFCC uncovered the embezzlement of N33.7 billion in a federal ministry. Shockingly, only N3 billion was linked to the Minister involved, while the remaining N30.7 billion was traced to senior civil servants, including directors of finance and procurement.
“There is no doubt that we have corruption in the public service, but I will also tell you that the private sector is just as bad,” Olukoyede stated.
He further emphasized: “Political appointees come and go, but the establishment people are always there. They often play a bigger role in looting than the politicians themselves.”
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