Society
EFCC Takes Anti-Corruption Drive Closer To Southeast Economic Hubs
saying its record had justified the confidence reposed in it.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has taken its anti-corruption and economic crime prevention drive closer to businesses and communities in the Southeast with the commissioning of a new Zonal Directorate in Awka, Anambra State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, commended the commission for its performance, saying its record had justified the confidence reposed in it.
“Supporting the EFCC is not particularly difficult. The agency has consistently demonstrated that the confidence reposed on it is well founded,” Tinubu said.
He added that the commission’s achievements in convictions and asset recoveries were evidence of its impact, noting that its activities aligned with his administration’s focus on economic reform, good governance, accountability and transparency.
Speaking at the commissioning on Friday, EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the new directorate would combine law enforcement with stronger preventive measures.
“This new Directorate will not only enforce the law professionally and courageously, it will be high on corruption prevention,” Olukoyede said.
The EFCC boss said the directorate would engage government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, professional bodies, schools, markets, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions and communities in efforts to prevent economic and financial crimes.
Olukoyede said the commission received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 cases, filed 14,476 cases in court and secured 10,872 convictions between October 2023 and July 2026.
He said the commission also recorded recoveries of N1.233 trillion, $684.48 million, £373,905 and €9.34 million during the period.
According to commission Chairman, the Awka directorate was established to strengthen the EFCC’s presence in Anambra and Imo, states he described as centres of enterprise, innovation and commerce.
“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.
The anti-graft boss urged residents to provide credible information on suspected wrongdoing, while warning that whistleblowing must be responsible and fact-based.
Governors Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra and Hope Uzodinma of Imo welcomed the new directorate and pledged their support to the commission.
