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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its performance in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
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Tinubu said the EFCC’s activities align with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on economic reforms, good governance, accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.
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EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede disclosed that the Commission secured 10,872 convictions from October 2023 to July 2026, while filing 14,476 cases in court during the period.
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Olukoyede urged Nigerians to use the Commission’s whistleblowing channels responsibly and provide factual information on suspected wrongdoing.
October 3, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its efforts in combating economic and financial crimes and corruption, saying the agency has justified the confidence reposed in it by his administration.
Tinubu spoke on Friday in Awka, Anambra State, during the commissioning of a new Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.
The President, who was represented at the event by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the Commission’s achievements provided evidence of its effectiveness, particularly in convictions secured and assets recovered.
According to him, supporting the EFCC was not difficult because the agency had demonstrated that the confidence placed in it was well founded.
“Without mincing words, the evidential proof of the EFCC’s success speaks loudly in convictions secured, assets and properties recovered,” Tinubu said.
He added that the Commission’s activities were consistent with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, particularly in the areas of economic reform and good governance.
“When we came in three years ago, I highlighted nine major focal areas of my administration. Two of which are reforming the economy for sustained and inclusive growth and promoting good governance.
The anti-graft agency complements this agenda as it is focused on accountability and transparency and appropriate deployment of resources,” he said.
EFCC Records 10,872 Convictions
Speaking at the commissioning, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the Commission had made significant progress in the enforcement of its mandate over the past 34 months.
He disclosed that between October 2023 and July 2026, the EFCC received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 cases and filed 14,476 cases in court.
According to him, the Commission secured 10,872 convictions within the period, representing a conviction-to-filing ratio of 75.1 per cent.
Olukoyede further disclosed that the EFCC recorded 1,370 convictions from 1,889 court filings in the first half of 2026 alone.
He said the Commission also recovered N1,233,612,040,411.11, $684,478,457.32, £373,905.78 and €9,343,803.66, in addition to recoveries made in other currencies.
The EFCC chairman attributed part of the Commission’s progress to institutional reforms introduced in recent years to strengthen its operations.
He listed the reforms to include new guidelines on arrest and bail, a review of sting operations, the establishment of the Department of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, the Security Department, the Immigration and Visa Section and the Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre.
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EFCC Moves Towards Prevention
Olukoyede said the newly commissioned Awka Zonal Directorate would combine enforcement with preventive measures designed to make corruption more difficult to perpetrate.
He said the office would work with government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, professional bodies, schools, markets, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and communities.
“This new Directorate will not only enforce the law professionally and courageously, but it will also be high on corruption prevention. It will educate stakeholders, build relationships and mobilise the people to own the fight against all forms of corrupt practices in the zone,” he said.
The EFCC chairman said the Commission’s preventive approach was aimed at blocking opportunities through which economic and financial crimes could occur rather than relying solely on prosecution after offences had been committed.
He also urged residents of Anambra and Imo states to participate in the fight against corruption through responsible whistleblowing.
According to him, the EFCC has established channels through which members of the public can submit petitions and provide information on suspected wrongdoing.
He said the Commission’s Eagle Eye application allows citizens to provide information about suspected offences without necessarily disclosing their personal details.
Olukoyede, however, cautioned that whistleblowing must be based on facts and should not be used to settle personal scores.
“Whistleblowing must be responsible and based on facts. It must not become an instrument for settling scores,” he said.
Olukoyede said Anambra and Imo states required an effective and responsive institutional presence because of their reputation for enterprise, innovation, commerce and industry.
He said legitimate economic activities in the two states needed protection from fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, investment fraud, diversion of public resources and other economic and financial crimes.
“Therefore, our coming to Awka is beyond geographical expansion. It is about taking the mandate of the EFCC closer to the people and closer to the economic activities we are meant to protect,” he said.
Governors Pledge Support
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his counterpart in Imo, Hope Uzodinma in separate remarks, expressed support for the activities of the EFCC under Olukoyede’s leadership.
They welcomed the establishment of the new zonal office and pledged their support to the Commission in carrying out its mandate in the two states.
The commissioning attracted members of the National Assembly, civil society organisations, community leaders, students, media representatives and other dignitaries.
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