By Samuel Olusegun Precious
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for its performance in tackling economic and financial crimes, saying the agency has justified the confidence reposed in it.
The President gave the commendation on Friday, October 2, 2026, in Awka, Anambra State, at the commissioning of a new Zonal Directorate of the EFCC. Represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Tinubu said there was evidential proof of the Commission’s success in convictions, recoveries and other achievements.
“Supporting the EFCC is not particularly difficult. The agency has consistently demonstrated that the confidence reposed on it is 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 noted that the Commission’s strides align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, particularly in reforming the economy for sustained growth and promotion of good governance.
In his remarks, EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, restated the Commission’s commitment to preventive frameworks, saying it will continue to make corruption difficult by blocking avenues for it.
“This new Directorate will not only enforce the law professionally and courageously, it will be high on corruption prevention. It will engage government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, professional bodies, schools, markets, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and communities,” Olukoyede said.
He disclosed that between October 2023 and July 2026, the Commission received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 cases, filed 14,476 cases in court and secured 10,872 convictions – a conviction-to-filing ratio of 75.1 percent. In the first half of 2026 alone, it recorded 1,370 convictions from 1,889 filings.
On recoveries, Olukoyede said the Commission recovered N1.23 trillion, $684.47 million, £373,905.78, and €9.34 million, in addition to recoveries in other currencies.He listed reforms including new guidelines on arrest and bail, review of sting operations, and establishment of the Department of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, Security Department, Immigration and Visa Section and the Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre.
Olukoyede urged Ndi Anambra to embrace whistleblowing through the Commission’s Eagle Eye App, but warned that it must be responsible and based on facts.Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, in their remarks, commended the EFCC leadership and pledged support for the new zonal office.The commissioning witnessed a large turnout of National Assembly members, civil society groups, community leaders, students and the media.
