Nigeria inaugurates new EFCC office, hails anti-graft successes

Nigeria's Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, inaugurated a state-of-the-art zonal office for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State. The new facility will serve both Ekiti and Ondo states, bolstering the anti-graft agency's operational capacity.

Representing President Bola Tinubu, Shettima emphasized the EFCC's pivotal role in Nigeria's economic landscape and national security. He lauded the commission's recent achievements, citing the conviction of a former minister and a former managing director of a national investment bank as clear signals against corruption. "The EFCC’s recent prosecution of several high-profile corruption cases, including the conviction of a former minister and a former managing director of a national investment bank, sends a clear message that there are no hiding places for the corrupt," the President's statement read.

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The EFCC’s recent prosecution of several high-profile corruption cases, including the conviction of a former minister and a former managing director of a national investment bank, sends a clear message that there are no hiding places for the corrupt.

Tinubu also highlighted the EFCC's success in tackling cyber-terrorism, pointing to the dismantling of a foreign-controlled cryptocurrency syndicate in Lagos that led to the conviction of 192 foreigners. Furthermore, the agency's efforts in recovering assets and securing Nigeria's removal from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list were credited with strengthening economic reforms and improving the investment outlook. Recovered resources have funded social investment programs like the Students’ Loan Scheme Network and Credit Corp.

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Your presence today is a testament to the unbroken resolve to strengthen the EFCC’s hand in the war against corruption.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, affirmed the state government's commitment to good governance and intergovernmental cooperation by providing the land for the zonal office. He noted that the office would improve access to the commission for victims of financial crimes, who previously faced challenges due to long distances. The state also provided a 220kva generator to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Ekiti State Government for their support. He stated that the new office energizes the EFCC to continue its work with professionalism and adherence to the rule of law, reinforcing the resolve to strengthen the commission's fight against corruption.

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There is no doubt that this office will enhance the administrative capacity of the Commission and make access to the commission easy for victims of financial crimes who had been discouraged by repeated trips to far distances to pursue justice.