Ola Olukoyede, the executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has urged local government chairmen nationwide to prioritise accountability in managing council resources.

Olukoyede spoke on Wednesday at the Gombe state LG summit.

He said LG chairpersons do not enjoy immunity from investigation and prosecution for fraud, warning that the anti-graft agency will not hesitate to take action against them. 

“Local government chairmen do not have immunity, and we are not going to wait until you finish your tenure to come after you,” the EFCC chairman said.

“The impact of these resources are not felt by the people living in these areas. Councils, instead of becoming catalysts of growth, have become caricatures existing only in name.”

Olukoyede said LG chairpersons should establish a compliance unit to assist them in monitoring the use of resources and the delivery of projects.

He said EFCC has established a fraud risk assessment and control (FRAC) department to monitor how the increased funds from the federation account are being used.

“EFCC will be paying you visits occasionally to monitor how you are using the funds. We will come in the evening. Sometimes you may even be seeing us in your dreams,” he said.