By Emeka Okafor
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the appointment of Mr. George Ekpungu as the new Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation announced Ekpungu’s appointment in a statement.
The statement signed by the Spokesman for the AGF, Umar Gwandu, said Ekpungu is expected to serve for tenure of five years upon Senate confirmation.
The appointee, an ally of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, was a former staff of the anti-graft agency.
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He contested for the Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency election in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2019 but was defeated by his rival.
Ekpungu was a Commissioner for New Cities Development in Cross River State under Governor Ben Ayade, between 2015 to 2018.
Gwandu in the statement also announced that President Buhari had also approved the appointment of four EFCC Board Members.
The four board members appointed by the President are Luqman Muhammad (South South), Anumba Adaeze (South East), Alhaji Kole Raheem Adesina (North Central) and Alhaji Yahya Muhammad (North East)
“President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed George Abang Ekpungu as the Secretary of the EFCC.
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“The appointment is for a fresh tenure of five years. Also appointed as board members of the EFCC are Luqman Muhammad (South South), Anumba Adaeze (South East), Alhaji Kole Raheem Adesina (North Central) and Alhaji Yahya Muhammad (North East)”, the statement read.
It stated that the appointment is in line with Section 2 (1) and Section 4 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004.
Ekpungu succeeds the commission’s former secretary, Ola Olukoyede, who was suspended alongside Ibrahim Magu last year.
