The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially opened its regional office in Awka, the capital of Anambra State. The event was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who represented President Bola Tinubu. Also in attendance were Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma. The EFCC chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, stated that the office aims to expand the commission's operational footprint and strengthen its capacity to deliver accountability oversight across both states.
According to Olukoyede, the EFCC has made significant progress in its fight against economic and financial crimes. He disclosed that the commission had received 49,615 petitions between October 2023 and July 2024, out of which 39,632 cases were investigated. Furthermore, the EFCC filed 14,436 cases in court and secured 10,872 convictions within the same period. Olukoyede emphasized that the commission's efforts have contributed to Nigeria's improved investment outlook and its removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list in October 2025.
The newly opened EFCC zonal facility in Awka is strategically located to cover both Anambra and Imo states. Olukoyede explained that the office is part of the commission's expansion plan, made possible by the National Assembly's appropriation and President Tinubu's interventions. He also mentioned that similar directorates are being established in Ekiti State and Katsina State. The EFCC chairman stressed that the office's establishment is not just about geographical expansion but also about bringing the agency closer to the people and the economic activities it is mandated to protect.
Olukoyede highlighted that the EFCC has begun the digitization of its processes, with over 60 percent of its activities currently digitized. He stated that the commission's primary engagement is in corruption and that it has made impressive progress in this area. The EFCC chairman also charged the governments of Anambra and Imo states to protect critical infrastructure, emphasizing that Nigeria's economic resurgence and improved investment outlook owe much to the commission's enforcement operations.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, welcomed the EFCC team to the state, saying that the commission should ideally have offices in all 774 local government areas of the country to effectively fight financial crimes. Soludo expressed his administration's willingness to partner with the EFCC in the fight against economic crimes in the state. He emphasized that fighting crime is everybody's responsibility and that the regional office covering Anambra and Imo states is a welcome development.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended the EFCC chairman for expanding the capacity of the anti-graft agency. He stated that Imo State will partner with the EFCC in the fight against financial crimes. Uzodimma's remarks were in agreement with Soludo's, as both governors emphasized the importance of collaboration between the EFCC and state governments in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, urged the governments of Anambra and Imo states to protect critical infrastructure, emphasizing that Nigeria's economic resurgence and improved investment outlook owe much to the EFCC's enforcement operations. He added that the EFCC's efforts have strengthened the nation's financial security and restored international confidence in its economic potential. The event marked a significant milestone in the EFCC's efforts to combat economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.
Key points
- The EFCC has opened a regional office in Anambra to cover Anambra and Imo states, as part of its expansion plan to strengthen its fight against economic and financial crimes.
- The EFCC received 49,615 petitions between October 2023 and July 2024, out of which 39,632 cases were investigated, and 14,436 cases were filed in court.
- The EFCC has begun the digitization of its processes, with over 60 percent of its activities currently digitized.
