Lawyer and public affairs commentator, Deji Adeyanju, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay closer attention to state revenues and track how public funds are utilised, following the commission’s recent recoveries and convictions.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had disclosed that the commission recovered over N1.23 trillion, $684.48 million, £373,905.78 and €9.34 million between October 2023 and June 2026.
According to Olukoyede, N661.32 billion and $492.37 million had been released to beneficiaries within the period under review.
He also disclosed that the commission secured 10,872 convictions out of 14,476 cases filed during the period.
Reacting to the figures in a statement on Monday, Adeyanju commended the EFCC for its recent achievements under Olukoyede’s leadership, saying the figures demonstrated that sustained efforts could yield tangible results in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
He said the commission should be encouraged to sustain the momentum and intensify its efforts.
“The recent disclosure
the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede, on the achievements of the Commission deserves commendation. The figures speak for themselves.
“These figures demonstrate that sustained efforts can produce tangible results in the fight against economic and financial crimes. The EFCC should therefore be encouraged to sustain this momentum and do even more,” Adeyanju said.
Adeyanju, however, argued that the anti-corruption campaign should not focus solely on recovering stolen funds but must also prevent the diversion of public resources.
He noted that state governments had experienced increased revenues and fiscal inflows following the removal of the petrol subsidy, stressing that Nigerians deserved greater accountability over how the additional resources were being spent.
“More importantly, the fight against corruption must extend beyond recovering yesterday’s stolen funds to preventing the diversion of tomorrow’s public resources.
“Following the removal of the petrol subsidy, state governments have received significantly increased revenues and fiscal inflows. Nigerians have a legitimate right to know how these additional resources are being applied.
“The EFCC should, within its statutory mandate, pay closer attention to credible allegations concerning the diversion or misuse of these funds and follow the money from allocation to expenditure.
“The Commission has made commendable progress, but the fight against corruption cannot be won through recoveries alone,” he stated.
