There was an outburst of laughter in the Senate on Wednesday as the Senate President Godswill Akpabio jokingly advised acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede, against citing him as an example in anti-corruption fight.
Olukoyede had appeared before the Senate for screening on Wednesday.
He had cited Akpabio’s name as an example in his presentation on investigating a graft case. He, however, suddenly stopped when he realised the mood of the Senators in the Chamber.
“If we are investigating the Senate President for example…” Olukoyede said, prompting the lawmakers to burst into laughter.
But the laughter became louder when Akpabio told the EFCC nominee not to cite his name as an example in the investigation of a corruption case.
The Senate President said, “I’m very glad that the nominee wants to use the Senate President as an example. But Mr nominee, leave the Senate President for now, look at this direction (pointing at the seats of opposition lawmakers).”
After the laughter subsided, Olukoyede continued his presentation without mentioning anyone’s name.
“If you are fighting corruption, you become the enemy of everybody,” he said.
Akpabio is still answering a case of N108.1 billion alleged theft of funds before the anti-graft agency.
The anti-graft agency commenced investigation of the former Akwa Ibom governor after a petition by an Abuja-based lawyer and activist, Leo Ekpenyong.
EFCC had detained Akpabio over alleged fraud, but he has consistently maintained innocence.
