By Nkechi Eze
The Head of Fraud and External Relations at the First Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Aluko Joseph, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its professionalism, integrity and effectiveness in tackling financial crimes, describing the Commission as one of Nigeria’s most respected institutions.
Aluko gave the commendation on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the EFCC Benin Zonal Directorate, according to a statement issued by the Commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.
He said First Bank had benefited from several EFCC interventions in the recovery of stolen funds, noting that one of such recoveries included over ₦1 billion successfully traced and returned to the bank through the Benin Zonal Directorate in January 2026 after investigations into one Ojo Eghosa Kingsley.
Describing the EFCC as a “fantastic organisation,” Aluko called for deeper institutional collaboration between both organisations in the areas of prevention, investigation and prosecution of financial crimes.
He stressed the need for sustained partnership to strengthen the financial sector’s resilience against fraud, noting that closer cooperation would enhance efficiency and help both institutions better respond to emerging threats.
“By working together, both organisations aim to make significant strides in combating threats to financial institutions,” he said, adding that sustainable collaboration would also promote professionalism and long-term institutional efficiency.
Aluko also advocated joint capacity-building programmes, training and knowledge-sharing initiatives between the EFCC and the bank to improve staff competence in detecting and preventing financial crimes.
He noted that such partnerships would strengthen the workforce and enhance collective responses to increasingly sophisticated financial fraud schemes.
He was accompanied on the visit by senior bank officials, including the Group Head, Edo State, Mr. Martins Akinsimisi, who also praised the EFCC for its successful recovery interventions.
Responding, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Benin Zonal Directorate, Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, thanked the delegation for the commendation and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to its mandate.
He said the EFCC remains guided by its core values of professionalism, integrity, courage and collaboration in the discharge of its responsibilities.
“We will not rest on our oars,” he said, adding that the Commission will continue to combat economic and financial crimes without fear or favour until the menace is significantly reduced in the country.
