Abuja, Nigeria – Individuals declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are usually subject to an extensive legal and investigative process prior to public declaration, legal experts have said.
According to legal practitioner Pelumi Olajengbesi, the declaration of a person as wanted by the EFCC is not arbitrary, but follows several procedural steps, beginning with a formal invitation to the individual under investigation.
The EFCC, Nigeria’s leading anti-graft agency, is empowered by law to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, including cybercrime, money laundering, contract scams, and public sector corruption. Before declaring a suspect wanted, the Commission typically sends an invitation through available contact channels such as phone numbers, email, or known addresses.
If the invitation is ignored, the EFCC issues reminders. Persistent non-compliance may lead the Commission to seek a court order to freeze the suspect’s bank accounts or place alerts on them. In serious cases, the EFCC may also place arrest alerts on these accounts or request temporary seizure of property through ex parte court orders.
Where a suspect continues to evade contact, the EFCC may apply for a warrant of arrest from a competent court, which forms the legal basis for a public declaration. The Commission may also alert immigration and airport authorities if there is intelligence suggesting the individual may attempt to flee the country.
Only after these steps are exhausted does the EFCC proceed to declare the individual wanted. This may be done through an additional court order or based on the existing arrest warrant. The declaration is typically published in at least two national newspapers and on the EFCC’s website, in line with current practice and legal precedent.
In Baro v. Commissioner of Police, Delta State (2019), the Court of Appeal upheld the legality of publishing wanted notices, stating that no law prohibits security agencies from issuing public statements seeking information about suspects’ whereabouts.
Once declared wanted, all security agencies—including the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Customs Service—are notified. The public is also encouraged to report information that may assist in locating the suspect. If the individual is located abroad, the EFCC may request an INTERPOL Red Notice, enabling arrest and extradition.
Legal experts note that individuals declared wanted retain their constitutional rights and may take legal action. Options include voluntary submission to the EFCC through legal counsel or filing a court case to challenge the declaration. In Ejike Uzoenyi v. EFCC (2018), the Court of Appeal held that the EFCC must operate within the bounds of the law and respect citizens’ rights.
The EFCC has also previously obtained ex parte court orders to temporarily seize property or restrict movement, subject to legal challenge. These measures are part of its broader investigative toolkit used before suspects are declared wanted.
According to Olajengbesi, while being declared wanted is serious, it is not an indication of guilt, but part of an enforcement process designed to compel compliance with lawful investigations.
The EFCC has not commented on recent high-profile declarations, but the agency continues to emphasise due process and inter-agency collaboration in its fight against corruption.
