Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has reiterated the need for collaboration and deep understanding of issues involved in tackling economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption as potent tools of achieving sustainable success in the fight.
He stated this in Abuja at the 2025 EFCC-Media/Civil Society Organisation’s capacity-building workshop.
Olukoyede, who was represented by director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, stated that the commission placed strong values and significance on building collaboration and mutual understanding with all stakeholders.
He said, “The media and civil society organisations, no doubt, are critical to fighting every form of economic and financial crime and other acts of corruption. The nexus between the media and civil society organisations is powerful; they are like the right ear and left ear of the same horse.
They have a shared mandate to expose shadiness and integrity deficits in individuals and groups nationwide. This is why the commission considered it imperative to bring together these stakeholders in a capacity-building workshop”.
Speaking further, Olukoyede stated that the issues for discussion revolved around operational, legal, and media issues, adding that understanding the key issues will impact public appreciation of the EFCC’s work.
Speaking on the challenges of prosecuting cases of economic and financial crimes in Nigeria, a director in the legal and prosecution department, Commander of the EFCC, CE Dr. Ben Ubi stated that the efforts of the EFCC chairman and the commission’s officers have over the years helped remove the name of Nigeria from the list of non-cooperating countries and territories of the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, showing that if not for the painstaking efforts of the EFCC, the government would have long been blacklisted.
Speaking on cryptocurrency fraud and other emerging financial crimes, an officer from the cybercrime section of the commission, Sam Agbi Enahoro, urged the stakeholders to avoid engaging in any business or online trade that may jeopardise their work and integrity.
He explained the technicalities in cryptocurrency transactions and pointed out how fraudulent dealings are creeping into the business.
