EFCC Puts LG Officials In Ondo Under Watch

By Ayodele Oni

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has warned top management and political office holders at Local Council levels in Ondo state against running foul of ant graft laws.

The Acting Zonal Director of the Benin Zonal Office of the Commission, Effa Okim, spoke in Akure, on Monday, at the opening ceremony of a four-day sensitization training for political office holders and top management staff of local governments in the state.

Okim cautioned that failure to act in line with the principles and lessons shared during the workshop would attract appropriate consequences from the commission.

He noted that the workshop would address critical issues such as abuse of office and other unethical practices within the local government system.

Okim also assured that the collaboration between the EFCC and the Ondo State Government would be sustained in the interest of good governance.

The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that his administration is committed to strengthening grassroots governance through accountability, capacity building, and a culture of transparency.

Aiyedatiwa emphasized that the workshop was not just a formal gathering, but a deliberate intervention by his administration to reposition the local government system for quality service delivery.

He described the local government as the closest tier of government to the people, and one whose effectiveness greatly determines the development of any democratic society.

“In recent years, our local governments have been confronted with myriad challenges ranging from poor service delivery to weak accountability frameworks.

This workshop is a conscious effort to reverse the trend and equip our leaders with the tools and mindset required to serve with competence and integrity.”

The Governor charged political office holders to see public service as a sacred duty, reminding them that they were elected or appointed to serve the people.

He also called on top local government officials to demonstrate professionalism, adhere to due process, and view themselves as essential partners in governance rather than mere bureaucrats.

He reiterated his administration’s resolve to institutionalize accountability and fiscal discipline across all tiers of government, saying “We shall continue to support initiatives that promote transparency, fiscal discipline, and effective monitoring and evaluation.”

The Governor explained that the training is designed to enhance participants’ grasp of core governance values, including transparency, accountability, the rule of law, and citizen engagement.

He expressed gratitude to the EFCC and other partner institutions, including the ICPC and the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission (OSPFACC), for supporting the workshop, urging participants to take the lessons from the sessions seriously and apply them in their respective local governments.

“You are stewards of public trust. The people look up to you for leadership and results. You must not disappoint them,” he added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, described the workshop as a strategic move to rebuild the integrity of the local government system.

He said the training is part of broader efforts to address loopholes in public financial management and to enhance service delivery at the grassroots.