Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for its achievements under the leadership of its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, urging the agency to pay closer attention to the use of increased revenues accruing to state governments.
Adeyanju said the fight against corruption must extend beyond recovering stolen funds to preventing the diversion of future public resources, particularly following the removal of the petrol subsidy and the resulting increase in revenues and fiscal inflows to state governments.
He said Nigerians have a legitimate right to know how the additional resources are being utilised, urging the EFCC, within its statutory mandate, to pay closer attention to credible allegations concerning the diversion or misuse of such funds.
According to him, the Commission should “follow the money from allocation to expenditure” where there are allegations of financial impropriety.
Adeyanju, in a statement made available to the media on Monday, said the recent disclosure by Olukoyede on the EFCC’s achievements deserved commendation, adding that “the figures speak for themselves.”
He said between October 2023 and June 2026, the EFCC recorded recoveries of over ₦1.23 trillion, $684.48 million, £373,905.78 and €9.34 million, while ₦661.32 billion and $492.37 million had reportedly been released to beneficiaries.
The lawyer also noted that the Commission recorded 10,872 convictions from 14,476 cases filed within the period under review.
FATF Grey List removal commendable
Adeyanju also described the EFCC’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, Grey List under the current leadership as commendable.
He equally praised the Commission for holding its personnel accountable, noting that more than 40 officers had been dismissed for corruption and financial malpractice, while more than five were currently facing prosecution.
“These figures demonstrate that sustained efforts can produce tangible results in the fight against economic and financial crimes,” he said.
Adeyanju urged the EFCC to sustain the momentum and do more, stressing that the fight against corruption could not be won through recoveries alone.
“The Commission has made commendable progress, but the fight against corruption cannot be won through recoveries alone,” he said.
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