President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what he described as measurable progress in the fight against corruption, citing convictions, asset recoveries and expanded operations as evidence that the anti-graft agency has justified the confidence placed in it.
Tinubu gave the commendation on Friday, October 2, 2026, during the commissioning of the EFCC’s new Zonal Directorate in Awka, Anambra State. The President was represented at the event by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Key Highlights
- Tinubu commends EFCC for its reported convictions and asset recoveries.
- EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede says the commission secured 10,872 convictions between October 2023 and July 2026.
- The EFCC filed 14,476 cases during the same period.
- The new Awka directorate will strengthen EFCC operations across Anambra and Imo states.
- The office will focus on fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, investment fraud and diversion of public funds.
- EFCC plans to combine enforcement with corruption-prevention measures.
- Olukoyede urged Nigerians to make responsible, fact-based whistleblower reports.
- Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma attended the commissioning.
Tinubu Commends EFCC for Anti-Corruption Efforts
In a statement delivered on his behalf, Tinubu said his administration’s support for the EFCC was based on the agency’s reported performance in prosecuting economic and financial crimes.
The President pointed to the convictions secured and assets recovered by the commission as indicators of progress in the fight against corruption.
Tinubu said the EFCC’s work aligns with his administration’s broader efforts to reform the economy, strengthen institutions and promote accountability and good governance.
The President’s remarks came as the commission expanded its operational presence in the South-East with the commissioning of the new Awka zonal directorate.
EFCC Records 10,872 Convictions
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede disclosed that the commission secured 10,872 convictions between October 2023 and July 2026.
He said the commission also filed 14,476 cases during the period, reflecting the scale of its investigations and prosecutions.
Olukoyede also reported recoveries in different currencies, including the naira, US dollar, British pound and euro. Other reports on his presentation put total recoveries during the period at more than ₦1.2 trillion.
New EFCC Awka Directorate Targets South-East Economic Crimes
The newly commissioned Awka Zonal Directorate is expected to strengthen the EFCC’s presence in the South-East, particularly across Anambra and Imo states.
According to Olukoyede, the directorate will focus on economic and financial crimes including fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, investment fraud and the diversion of public resources.
The EFCC also plans to work with government institutions, businesses, schools, markets, religious organisations and traditional institutions as part of a broader preventive approach.
The strategy is intended to complement conventional investigation and prosecution with measures aimed at preventing economic crimes before they occur.
Olukoyede Urges Responsible Whistleblowing
The EFCC chairman also urged Nigerians to provide credible information when reporting suspected financial crimes.
Olukoyede cautioned against using whistleblowing mechanisms to settle personal disputes or make allegations without factual basis.
He called for responsible reporting that would assist investigators in identifying and prosecuting genuine cases of economic and financial crime.
Soludo, Uzodinma Pledge Support for EFCC
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma attended the commissioning ceremony and pledged support for the commission’s activities in the region.
The presence of the two governors underscored the EFCC’s efforts to deepen cooperation with state governments and other institutions in tackling financial crimes.
The expansion of the commission’s operational presence in Awka comes as the EFCC continues to combine investigations, prosecutions, asset recovery and preventive initiatives in its anti-corruption activities.
What the New EFCC Awka Office Means
The commissioning of the Awka Zonal Directorate brings EFCC operations closer to communities and businesses in the South-East.
Beyond investigating suspected offences, the commission says its approach increasingly involves engagement with institutions and communities to prevent economic and financial crimes.
The development is expected to strengthen the EFCC’s capacity to respond to cases involving cybercrime, fraud, money laundering, investment scams and alleged diversion of public resources in the region. For more updates, follow us on X.
