The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has praised the media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for their consistent role in the fight against economic and financial crimes, particularly internet fraud in the South-West region.
EFCC in a statement on Saturday said the commendation was delivered at a one-day workshop organised by the Commission for journalists and CSOs at the Ibadan Zonal Directorate.
Represented by the Directorate’s Acting Zonal Director, ACE I Hauwa Garba Ringim, Olukoyede stressed that the continuous advocacy, reportage, and public enlightenment efforts of these partners have better informed Nigerians about the Commission’s activities.
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He called for a more collective effort to safeguard the nation’s resources through unbiased and timely reporting.
Olukoyede described the media and CSOs as “indispensable allies”, emphasising that the session was designed to share ideas, perspectives, and encourage constructive feedback to enhance the EFCC’s performance and accountability.
He pledged the EFCC’s commitment to providing accurate and timely information to foster good governance and move closer to a corruption-free society.
The workshop featured technical sessions that addressed key challenges in the anti-graft war.
DCE Gift Iwebafa Odibo, Head of Legal and Prosecution at the Ibadan Directorate, highlighted the persistent security threats and risks faced by EFCC prosecutors during out-of-jurisdiction trials, especially those involving politically exposed persons.
She also advocated for stiffer penalties for internet fraudsters to enhance deterrence, arguing that sentences like community service are insufficient.
Speaking on the Commission’s political will, EFCC Spokesperson, DCE Dele Oyewale, noted that under the current leadership, the EFCC had arraigned five former governors and five former ministers in 2024 alone.
He calls this a demonstration of the President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to curbing economic infractions.
He urged CSOs and the media to intensify their collaborative efforts in spreading the anti-corruption crusade to the grassroots.
In a session on cybercrime, CSE Alex Ogbole, Head of Digital Forensics, Lagos, warned that investment and business scams are the most prevalent forms of cryptocurrency fraud, advising Nigerians to shun “get-rich-quick” schemes.
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Furthermore, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, Head of the Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, disclosed that the EFCC is preparing a massive campaign against children’s involvement in cybercrime.
He cautioned that the frequent arrest of minors is a worrying trend that could lead to a “yahoo ex-convict” in every household if not curbed by parental vigilance.
The workshop ended with participants being encouraged to own the fight against corruption and to utilize their platforms for public enlightenment.
