Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

08/10/2026

Shun Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome, Olukoyede Charges Corps Members

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on corps members and youths across the country to always resist the urge to seek wealth through shortcuts and dishonest means.

He gave the charge in Lagos on Thursday, September 8, 2026, while addressing corps members of the 2026 Batch C, Stream 1, at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

Olukoyede, who spoke through Superintendent of the EFCC, SE Amaka Fingesi, of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Lagos, decried the get-rich-quick syndrome prevalent among youths, saying, “It is a syndrome of compromise. Avoid it. Move away from it and seek to be a value-adding youth in every realm.”

While encouraging the youths to be catalysts for national development, he said they must pursue a fresh agenda of progress, integrity, development and anti-corruption in every realm.

According to him, Nigeria is seeking youths that are reform-minded, zealous for progress and enterprising in national development. This category of youths, he called, new breed youths. "A new breed youth is hungry for new results, angry with compromises and zealous for transparency. A new breed youth is willing and serious to interrogate his or her environment and expose shadiness and corruption. A new breed youth is not interested in following the line of least resistance. He fashions a new route of purpose and gives all it takes to walk in that route. In short, a new breed youth is the answer to the need for progress in our land", he said.

In Ilorin, Kwara State, Olukoyede charged corps members to embrace integrity, accountability and patriotism as they commenced their service to the nation. Speaking through Superintendent of the EFCC, SE Gbenga Adewoye at the Kwara State NYSC Orientation Camp in the premises of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, the EFCC’s boss noted that Nigeria’s development had been hampered by years of corruption, moral decline and the mismanagement of the nation’s resources.

He, however, challenged the youths to learn from the failures of the past and resolve to build a better future through integrity, hard work, innovation and responsible citizenship.

In Keffi, Nasarawa State, at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Olukoyede urged corps members to regard corruption as an affront and an open war against their possibilities and future, charging them to take up the responsibility of defending the nation against the menace. He also urged them to resist activities that could undermine their future and the development of Nigeria.

The anti-graft czar spoke through the Head of Public Affairs Unit, EFCC Abuja Zonal Directorate, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Ngoundu Nguetar, and charged corps members to portray themselves as nation builders and light bearers and strive always to make conscious choices that promote progress and contribute to the greater glory of Nigeria.

In other locations across the country, Abuja, Maiduguri, Uyo, Ibadan, Gombe, Kano, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Awka, Benin-City, Ekiti, Enugu and other places, the EFCC Chairman reiterated his warning against cyber crime, charging corps members to steer clear of involvement in the crime. He enjoined them to be innovation-driven, adding that they should make the best use of the internet.

According to him, there are several alternatives to internet fraud and other acts of corruption that could position them as leaders and nation-builders in the future.

Speaking further, Olukoyede charged the corpers to be whistleblowers. “Exposing corrupt practices around you is not only obligatory; it is also patriotic. The EFCC is relying on you to always expose shady deals in your environments. To conveniently do this, you can use the Eagle App, which is a digital application for reporting corruption cases. Images can be uploaded on it, and the whistleblower may send his or her report anonymously”, he said.

08/10/2026

EFCC, NBA Partner on Corruption Fight

The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to a robust, symbiotic partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure the seamless administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. The Chairman who spoke through the Zonal Director, Kano Directorate of the Commission, ACE I Friday S. Ebelo, made this known on Thursday, October 7th, 2026. He was playing host to the newly elected leadership of the NBA Kano State Branch, led by its Chairman, Sani Ammani. The Chairman emphasized that the NBA and the EFCC are "symbiotic twins that cannot be separated. The Commission operates strictly within the confines of the rule of law and the Constitution”, stressing that the protection of citizens' fundamental rights is paramount in all its operational and legal engagements. Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories.

08/10/2026

EFCC, NBA Human Rights Committee Seek Stronger Collaboration on Rule of Law, Justice

The EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Directorate, and the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ilorin Branch, have expressed readiness to strengthen collaboration towards promoting the rule of law, protecting fundamental human rights and ensuring effective administration of justice. The commitment was made on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, when the Chairperson of the NBA Human Rights Committee, Hajia Rasheedat Hassan-Aribito, led members of the Committee on a courtesy visit to the Zonal Director of the EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Directorate, ACE 1 Victoria Ugo-Ali.
Hajia Hassan-Aribito, who is also the Vice Chairperson of the NBA, Ilorin Branch, commended the EFCC for its efforts at sanitising society, fighting corruption and upholding the rule of law, noting that the Human Rights Committee was established by the NBA to protect the fundamental rights of citizens, particularly the less privileged who may not have the financial capacity to secure legal representation.
Responding, Ugo-Ali appreciated the Committee for the visit and described the NBA as a critical stakeholder in the fight against corruption and the administration of justice, noting that the rule of law remained a guiding principle of the Commission. “The EFCC could not effectively discharge its mandate without respecting the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and other relevant laws. The Commission is very big on issues of fundamental rights. The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has directed that issues of abuse of fundamental rights should be given priority in our activities,” she said. Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories.

08/10/2026

EFCC, Edo State Orientation Agency to Engage Youths in Value Reorientation

The Director-General of the Edo State Orientation Agency, Maleke Idowu Moye has sought the collaboration of the EFCC in tackling the menace of internet fraud in the state through value reorientation and public engagement. The DG made this request on Tuesday, October 6, when his team paid a courtesy visit to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission. Moye, who commended the work of the EFCC in tackling fraud, noted that his agency was recently established by the state government to drive strategic communication and value reorientation in the state. According to him, collaborating with the Commission will achieve significant results as the EFCC is driven by good ethical values and professionalism. “There are a lot we can do together in reorientating the youth in our society. We want to lessen the burden of the work you do and change the narrative, just as the government has done in the area of cultism.” In his response, the Ag. Zonal Director, Benin Zonal Directorate, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, charged the leadership of the Agency to discharge their duties honestly, professionally and courageously without minding whose ox is gored. Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories.

08/10/2026

EFCC Arraigns Two for Money Laundering in Lagos



The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, arraigned Ali Bala (a.k.a Barrister Ahmed) and Yusuf Umar Anka before Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, over an alleged theft and money laundering to the tune of £110,000.00 (One Hundred and Ten Thousand Pound Sterling).



The duo are standing trial on a ten-count charge bordering on stealing, laundering of funds and retention of stolen property.



Count one reads: ‘That you, ALI BALA (a.k.a Barrister Ahmed) and YUSUF UMAR ANKA, sometime in 2025 in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conducted financial transactions of proceeds involving your unlawful activities to disguise the source of the stolen £110,000.00 (One Hundred and Ten Thousand Pound Sterling).



Another counts: reads: “That you, ALI BALA (a.k.a Barrister Ahmed) and YUSUF UMAR ANKA, between July and August 2025, in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, converted the sum of N500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million naira) property of Salihu Muhammed to your use. Which is contrary to Sections 280 (1) (a) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.’’



The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the ten charges when they were read to them.



In view of their plea, the lead prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, requested a trial date and to remand the defendants in a Correctional center.



The counsels to the first and second defendants, M. Abubakar and S. Makinde opted for a plea bargain pending their clients’ bail application.



Justice Fadipe adjourned the matter to December 16, 2026, for trial and hearing of the bail application. The judge also ordered that the defendants be remanded in Correctional Facility.

07/10/2026

EFCC Kano Strengthens Media Ties with Matashiya TV to Combat Economic Crimes

The Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Friday S. Ebelo, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to leveraging media collaboration as a critical tool for crime deterrence and public education. He stated this in Kano on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 while receiving the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Matashiya TV, an online television platform, on a courtesy visit to his office.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, Ebelo emphasized that the media remains a core stakeholder in the EFCC’s mandate to investigate, prevent, and prosecute economic and financial crimes. He noted that the Commission's vision is to achieve a Nigeria free of economic and financial crimes, a goal that cannot be realized without the active partnership of the media.
"Whatever we do, if it is not properly reported to the populace in the form of education and crime deterrence, we will not be able to go further. The media is a core partner in progress. From the beginning, our Public Affairs Department has coordinated the media angle of our operations, and it is on this premise that we seek to further reaffirm our support and partnership."

The Zonal Director highlighted that the EFCC’s mandate covers a broad spectrum of offences, including cybercrime, fraud, money laundering, public sector corruption, and economic sabotage. He stressed that publicizing these efforts is essential to deterring potential offenders and enlightening the public, particularly the youth.

In his remarks, the Chairman/CEO of Matashiya TV, Abubakar Murtala Ibrahim expressed the platform's desire to establish a working and sustainable relationship with the Commission. He noted that Matashiya TV focuses on journalism, community development, and youth empowerment, having trained over 3,000 youths in various professional skills.

He explained that the platform has designed programs specifically aimed at enlightening the youth to steer them away from cybercrime and violence. "We have ideas and programs to enlighten the people, especially the youth, because we believe this will reduce their engagement in cybercrime and related violence," the CEO stated, soliciting the EFCC's partnership in this regard.

The visit concluded with both parties agreeing to foster a robust working relationship to advance the fight against economic and financial crimes in Kano and beyond.

07/10/2026

06/10/2026

EFCC Arraigns Man for Alleged $5,000 Fraud in Enugu



The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Raheem Abiodun Wasiu before Justice H. O. Eya of the Enugu State High Court, sitting in Independence Layout for alleged $5,000 (Five Thousand United States Dollar) fraud.

Wasiu was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on stealing by conversion and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of the said sum.

Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Wasiu Abiodun Raheem, on the 6th day of July, 2026b at Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $5,000 (Five Thousand United States Dollars) from Stanley Chukwuamuanya Ezekulie, under false pretense that you will transfer to Stanley Chukwuamuanya Ezekulie the Naira equivalent of N7, 050, 000. 00 (Seven Million, Fifty Thousand Naira), a representation you knew to be false”.

The offence is contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act (2006) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” and in view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Chiekezie Raymond Edozie prayed the court for a trial date and for Wasiu to be remanded at the facility of the Nigerian Correctional service, NCoS in Enugu.

However, the defence counsel, A. J. Ebube orally applied for bail for his client but was opposed by the prosecution on the grounds that “the prosecution has facts which if brought to the notice of the court will make the court unwilling to grant the defendant bail”. The prosecution prayed for accelerated hearing.

The matter was adjourned to October 28, 2026 for hearing of bail application; November 3 and 10, 2026 for trial. The defendant was thereafter remanded at the facility of the NCoS.

Wasiu, 38, was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, following a complaint by one Stanley Chukwuamuanya Ezekulie, a Bureau De Change operator who claimed that he defrauded him of $5000

In the course of investigation by operatives of the EFCC, it was discovered that the suspect always rents different Toyota Hilux trucks, disguises as a wealthy contractor, moves with escorts and meets BDC operators in the South-east and Akwa Ibom State and allegedly tricks them into parting with their hard earned money, by presenting fake alerts in Naira to them, after collecting their money.

06/10/2026

Emefiele: Finance Ministry Unaware of N124.86bn CBN Withdrawal, Witness Tells Court



A Director in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Ali Mohammed, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, told the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, that the Ministry was not aware of the withdrawal of N124.86 billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.



Mohammed, who testified as the prosecution witness 10, PW10, in the ongoing trial of the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Abbas Mohammed.



The witness said he appeared before the court because his Ministry received a letter from the investigation team concerning N154 billion said to have been withdrawn by the CBN.



Explaining his position and responsibilities in the Ministry, Mohammed said, “My Lord, the Department of Home Finance is made up of three functions based in three divisions, that is State and Public Finance, Trade Division and Banking and Other Financial Institutions. The three divisions are under me.”



He further explained that, upon receiving the letter from the investigator, he contacted the three divisions under his supervision to ascertain whether they were aware of the transaction.



According to him, none of the three divisions was privy to the transaction.



He said the State and Public Finance Investment Division was the relevant division because it oversees the CBN.



Asked what action he took after making the inquiries, Mohammed said, as a civil servant, the Minister of Finance does not pay money directly to individuals or organisations.



He said he was therefore required to write a letter through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, OAGF, to ascertain whether the office was aware of the transaction, being the custodian of payments for the Federal Government.



The witness told the court that the OAGF responded in writing that it was not aware of the transaction and concluded that the money was a direct credit from the CBN.



Speaking on why he wrote the OAGF, Mohammed said it was the appropriate office to approach and that he relied on the response from the Accountant-General before responding to the Special Investigator.

“I responded via a memo of what has transpired between my office and that of the AGF and sought for clearance for such document to be forwarded to the Special Investigator. Subsequently, the letter was forwarded,” he said.



He said the documents forwarded to the Special Investigator included a letter bearing the logo of the Federal Ministry of Finance, which he signed, as well as an attached letter signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation.



The witness identified the documents when they were shown to him in court and the prosecution subsequently sought to tender them in evidence.



Asked about the whereabouts of the originals, Mohammed said they had been forwarded to the Special Investigator.



He therefore sought to tender certified true copies of the documents.



Defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, said he had no objection.



Consequently, Justice Maryanne Anineh admitted and marked the documents as Exhibits AJ, AK and AL.



While examining the exhibits, the prosecution asked the witness to explain the purpose of Exhibit AJ.



Mohammed said the import of the document was that the withdrawal of N124.86 billion was not known to the Federal Ministry of Finance.

He explained that he relied on the letter forwarded to the Ministry by the Accountant-General before signing the document.



On Exhibit AL, the witness said it was a confirmation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation that it was not aware of the transaction involving N124.86 billion.



Referring again to Exhibit AJ, particularly line three, Mohammed read: “Accordingly, the figure under consideration was classified in the Ministry’s record as a direct debit letter by the Central Bank of Nigeria.”



Explaining the meaning of the phrase, he told the court, “Direct debit means it was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria without recourse of any office in Nigeria. That is what it means.”



The witness further stated that, ordinarily, the Office of the Accountant-General, which was supervised by the Federal Ministry of Finance, would be directed before any withdrawal was made.

He added that the letter did not indicate that the Federal Ministry of Finance had directed the Office of the Accountant-General to make the withdrawal, particularly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.



Earlier in the proceedings, prosecution witness nine, PW9, Hamisu Abdullahi, Director, banking services of the CBN continued his testimony.



The prosecution reminded the witness that during his cross-examination on May 4, 2026, he had mentioned a specific email and asked whether he could remember it. He answered in the affirmative.



He explained that the email was generated from their computer system, certified as a true copy, signed and accompanied by a certificate of compliance.



According to him, the email conveyed the directive of the then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to recover the sum of N1.4 billion debit in the receivables account from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.



When shown the document, the witness confirmed that he could identify it.



The prosecution subsequently sought to tender the email and the certificate attached to it.



Ojo, SAN, representing the defence, said he had no objection.



Justice Anineh accordingly admitted the documents and marked them Exhibits AH1 and AH2 respectively.



There being no further questions for PW9, the witness was discharged from the witness box.



Justice Anineh thereafter adjourned the matter to October 7, 2026 for cross-examination and continuation of trial.



Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a four-count charge bordering on alleged disobedience to lawful directives and unlawful acts that allegedly caused harm to members of the public in connection with the controversial naira redesign policy.

06/10/2026

Olukoyede Calls for Collaboration with the Creative Industry in Fight against Corruption



The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has called for broad-based support and collaboration with the creative industry in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

He made this call in Abuja on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at an entertainment show tagged “ Vintage with Gana”. According to him, the creative industry is talent -driven and youths can explore it to make it a potent vehicle of public involvement in the fight against corruption.

Olukoyede who was represented by the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed indicated that the Commission was willing to collaborate with every Nigerian, young and old, to prevent economic and financial crimes.

“I am actually here because the EFCC is the friend of the people. EFCC is not all about arrest, we have a face and we actually support creatives. That is why whenever there are events like this, the EFCC is actually there to support”.

“The fight against corruption is not for the EFCC alone but it is for everyone. When we talk about those involved in corrupt practices, either through looting or cybercriminals scamming, all the problems affect us all. When it results in bad roads, bad hospitals, insecurity, nobody is safe. So, all of us have to come together to salvage the country, we don’t have any country but Nigeria. Nigerians are talented, we are smart, we are lovable, and we are brilliant people. It is just for us to put it to good use. So, say no to yahoo yahoo, say no to cybercrime , say no to looting and stealing, misappropriation”, he said.

She restated that Nigerians must come together against corruption. “We have to do it together. The EFCC is open to more collaboration that will help rid Nigeria of corruption.

In attendance at the event were management staff of the Commission led by the Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman, Commander of the EFCC, CE Micheal Nzekwe. Others are, Director of Investigation, Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, Director of Internal Audit, Mrs Idowu Oluwole-Apejoye, Spokesperson of the Commission, Mr. Dele Oyewale, Head, Public Interface Unit, Mr. Tony Orilade, among others