The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has refuted claims that he was indicted by the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry, insisting that he was invited, cleared and subsequently reinstated as Secretary of the commission with all entitlements paid.

Olukoyede spoke on Sunday while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today, in response to allegations by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who accused him of “retaliatory persecution” and called for his recusal from an ongoing investigation, citing Chapter Nine of the Salami Panel report.

Dismissing the claims, the EFCC chairman challenged Malami to publish the Salami report if it indeed indicted him, as being suggested in the public space.

According to Olukoyede, the burden of proof lies with those alleging that he was fraudulently or criminally indicted by the panel.

“Those making such claims should publish the report for Nigerians to see. Many people are talking about a document they have never seen,” he said.

He recalled that the panel was constituted in 2020 and concluded its assignment in early 2021, questioning why the report was never made public during Malami’s tenure as Attorney-General between 2015 and 2023.

“If he had access to the report, why was it not published for two years while he was still in office?” Olukoyede asked.

The EFCC boss explained that he was invited to the Salami panel solely in his official capacity as Secretary of the commission, alongside several directors and members of staff.

He said: “The former acting chairman was the main subject of the investigation. However, the panel invited several of us for clarification. I appeared before the panel twice. I was never accused of wrongdoing.”

Olukoyede added that after the panel concluded its work, further investigations were carried out by relevant authorities, which also cleared him of any wrongdoing.

“The same presidency that set up the panel gave me a letter of clearance. Law enforcement agencies that conducted further investigations also cleared me,” he stated.

He disclosed that he was reinstated as EFCC Secretary and paid all outstanding salaries and allowances, stressing that no court or institution has ever found him guilty of fraud.

“I challenge anyone to point to a single asset linked to me or any member of my family. No Nigerian can say I collected one naira or even a bottle of Coke to influence my judgment,” Olukoyede said.

He further invited anyone with evidence of bribery against him to come forward publicly.

On criticisms that the EFCC has been slow in prosecuting politically exposed persons, Olukoyede explained that high-profile corruption cases are often complex, involving foreign jurisdictions and lengthy international legal processes.

“Investigating cybercrime can take 48 hours. But cases involving politically exposed persons require time, especially when funds are traced abroad and foreign cooperation is involved,” he said.

He maintained that the EFCC would not rush to court without sufficient evidence, noting that delays are often caused by slow responses from foreign institutions under mutual legal assistance frameworks.

“If I don’t have the evidence, I will not go to court,” Olukoyede said.