Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been described as a beacon of courage and direction in the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
According to a statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Wednesday 5th February 2025, the accolade was given in Abuja by the Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Security Watch Africa, Mr. Patrick Agbambu who led a delegation to the corporate headquarters of the EFCC to present an award to the Commission as the best anti-corruption agency in Nigeria.
Agbambu expressed profound delight with the successes of the EFCC, especially in the past one year under Olukoyede, stressing that “we are proud to say that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission was voted as the best anti-corruption agency in Nigeria. But I would like to say that it’s not only the best in Nigeria but in the whole of Africa because I have visited nearly all the countries in Africa and though some of the countries try to replicate the EFCC, none has matched what the EFCC is doing. It’s not that there is no corruption in those countries, but their anti-corruption agencies don’t have the courage to do what you’re doing, particularly since October 2023. I must say that we are impressed with the quantum of recoveries that have been made and the boldness to bring up some cases that some people thought can never be looked into. When we see you break those jinx and do what Nigerians think cannot be done, we become very encouraged”.
Speaking further, he said, “We are here to say thank you for what you are doing in the past one year. The agency has done very well. As Oliver Twists, Nigerians, still want more. Corruption is not an easy thing to wish off. It will always fight back. We know that there are obstacles and the public will need to be brought in to assist by providing support and encouragement and that is where we come in. We will provide encouragement because we believe in what you’re doing. And that is why we have come here on behalf of our team and our readers who voted this agency and its leadership as the most outstanding in Nigeria and for me, even in Africa, that is why we have come to present to you the plaque to signify our support and to say, yes, you deserve it. I want to say well done, sir. That said, on behalf of our esteemed readers who voted the EFCC for being the beacon of strength and direction in the fight against corruption in Nigeria in 2024 we prevent this commendation award.”
While expressing his appreciation for the recognition on behalf of the management and staff of the EFCC, Olukoyede promised to do his utmost to ensure the victory of the Commission over corruption. “I want to thank you and pledge on behalf of the entire management and staff of EFCC. I want to thank you very much for this recognition. You are placing more burden on my shoulders and on the shoulders of my men. I want to tell you that we are ready to do more. In another six months you will begin to see a brand new EFCC. We are doing everything possible both from the perspective of internal cleansing to dealing with public and private sector corruption in Nigeria. I also want to thank you and promise you that we are not going to relent. This battle must be fought; this war must be fought and won.
“I dedicate this award to all the management and staff of EFCC who are doing this work day and night without relenting; who are giving their all at the risk of their lives every day and also to Mr. President, who has given us the conducive environmental work. I would need you in the area of advocacy so that we put out the right narrative out there for people to appreciate what we’re doing. People vilify us for just doing the right thing. We put in almost 24 hours just to ensure that we do the right thing and to ensure that we make an impact.
“In the recent Lagos operation, we arrested about 194 foreigners across various nationalities: Chinese, Pakistanis, Indians, Filipinos, Eastern Europeans, Kazakhstans and Tunisians. One hundred and ninety-four foreigners operating in one building. We discovered, 500 sim cards, 249 active foreign phone lines being used, over 100 internet routers in the same building and over 400 computers. So, when you look at some of these things you begin to see that it’s close to terrorism because foreign lines are activated and being used”.
He noted that the anti-corruption efforts of the EFCC and the mission of Security Watch Africa align. “There is a very strong nexus between insecurity and corruption. In fact, you can’t separate the two. You can’t talk of terrorism without talking about terrorism financing. There is no way terrorism will thrive without a source of financing. You can’t really separate them. And so on that note, I want to say that we have a shared responsibility to ensure that we create a society that is safe for every one of us to live in. It’s important for us to let society know that there’s a need to work together. It is through collaborative efforts that we can fight corruption in Nigeria.
He regretted the politicization of the anti-corruption fight by some members of the public and the levity with which the public is treating the campaign. “It is public knowledge that most Nigerians fight corruption with their mouths but their attitudes tolerate it. And that is the saddest aspect of it. The moment we start investigation and prosecution, people will begin to read political meanings to it.
