The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on media organisations to strengthen ethical standards and ensure responsible reporting in support of Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight.
Olukoyede made the appeal on Thursday, April 9, 2026, while delivering a goodwill message at the “VON Forum 2025,” with the theme: “51 Years of Nigeria’s Role in Deepening Democratic Stability in ECOWAS.”
The event was organised in Abuja by the Voice of Nigeria (VON) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
Citing a past case, the EFCC boss recounted how the commission arrested a politically exposed individual over the alleged diversion of about $35 million meant for a refinery project.
He expressed concern that media headlines the following day framed the action as political persecution rather than focusing on the facts behind the arrest.
He stressed that the anti-corruption campaign is non-partisan and already yielding results, urging journalists and other stakeholders to support the effort through balanced and fact-based reporting.
Olukoyede pointed to the VON headquarters as an example of recovered proceeds of crime, noting that such recoveries demonstrate tangible progress in the fight against corruption.
He cautioned against selective outrage, where cases involving certain political affiliations attract disproportionate reactions.
Beyond corruption, he highlighted the growing threat of terrorist financing and revealed that he currently chairs the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa, a regional body set up to coordinate efforts against illicit financial flows in West Africa.
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According to him, the body’s framework has been adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), paving the way for cross-border investigations, intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement actions aimed at strengthening regional security.
Director General of VON, Jibrin Baba Ndace, commended Olukoyede for participating in the forum.
He noted that Nigeria, as a founding member of ECOWAS, has played a significant role in promoting peace and democratic stability across the region through decades of peacekeeping and diplomatic interventions.
Ndace listed countries such as Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Liberia as examples of where Nigeria’s contributions have helped sustain regional stability, reinforcing its position as a key pillar within ECOWAS.
