03/10/2026
EFCC AWKA DIRECTORATE: A SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARDS DEEPENING ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROTECTING OUR ECONOMIC FUTURE
I welcome the commissioning of the new Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Awka Zonal Directorate, an important institutional development that I believe will strengthen the fight against economic and financial crimes while deepening accountability, transparency and protection of legitimate economic activities across Anambra, Imo and the wider South-East.
Although on official assignment outside the country prevented me from attending the commissioning personally, I ensured that my representation was duly provided for through the Administrative Head of my Constituency Office, Mr. Franklyn Ezeonyebuchi, who attended the occasion on my behalf. Members of my Media Crew were equally present to document the proceedings. I followed the event with keen interest and remain fully appreciative of the significance of the new Directorate to Anambra, Imo and the wider South-East.
The commissioning, performed on behalf of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, GCON, brought together distinguished leaders and stakeholders, including Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR; Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON; Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede; members of the National Assembly both from the Senate and House of Representatives , traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
I commend President Tinubu and the Federal Government for strengthening the institutional reach of the EFCC through the establishment of the Awka Directorate. The decision to bring the Commission closer to the people and to the centres of commerce, enterprise and investment in our region is significant.
Anambra and Imo are states with vibrant commercial activities, a strong entrepreneurial culture and a large population of businesses, investors and innovators. It is therefore important that institutions charged with protecting the integrity of our financial system are sufficiently present and accessible within the region.
I am particularly encouraged by the emphasis placed by the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, on the need to move beyond a predominantly reactive approach to financial crimes and strengthen preventive mechanisms.
His explanation that the Commission is increasingly focusing on identifying vulnerabilities, protecting public resources and working with governments and stakeholders before resources are lost represents an important evolution in the fight against corruption. The Commission has also disclosed plans to monitor Federation Account allocations as part of efforts to prevent the diversion of public funds.
For me, this preventive dimension is particularly important. It is far better to prevent public resources from being stolen than to wait until they are lost before commencing the process of investigation and recovery.
The protection of public funds is not simply a responsibility of law-enforcement agencies alone but also a collective obligation involving governments, legislatures, public institutions, traditional institutions, the private sector, civil society and citizens.
I was also encouraged by the message from Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, who aptly observed that the fight against crime is everybody's responsibility. His position that the EFCC should be taken closer to the grassroots reinforces the importance of making accountability a culture rather than merely an enforcement exercise.
Governor Soludo's personal account of his previous interaction with the EFCC also underscored another important principle: law enforcement must be firm, professional and fair, with due process respected and the outcome of investigations communicated appropriately to persons involved. His account of responding to an EFCC invitation during an earlier investigation and subsequently receiving confirmation that there was no evidence against him is a useful reminder of the importance of professionalism and institutional integrity in the administration of justice.
I equally commend Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for his support for the establishment of the Directorate and the recognition that stronger institutional presence and monitoring are necessary as financial resources available to subnational governments continue to grow.
The fact that the Awka Directorate will serve both Anambra and Imo States gives the initiative an important regional character. I believe it provides an opportunity for stronger collaboration among the two states, the EFCC and other relevant institutions in confronting financial crimes while simultaneously protecting legitimate businesses and investments.
I also acknowledge the important presence and contributions of my colleagues in the National Assembly, particularly Senator Emmanuel Udende, Chairman, Senate Committee on Financial Crimes, and Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, whose committees have a direct legislative responsibility in supporting the institutional effectiveness of the Commission, a committee I am incidentally a member too.
Their participation, alongside that of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, underscores the fact that the fight against economic and financial crimes requires effective collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of government.
I equally recognize the importance of strong institutions, effective oversight and a sound legal framework in building a nation where public resources are protected and the rule of law is respected.
I therefore welcome the EFCC's commitment to operating within the limits of the law and to ensuring that enforcement does not become an instrument of oppression. The fight against corruption must be uncompromising, but it must equally be anchored on due process, fairness, professionalism and respect for the rights of citizens. The EFCC Chairman's emphasis on this balance is important.
I am equally persuaded that the fight against financial crimes must begin with prevention, ethical reorientation and public consciousness.
The call for citizens, communities, traditional rulers, religious institutions, professional bodies and other stakeholders to maintain a conscious watch over public resources is one that deserves broad support. Where resources are appropriated for the benefit of communities, citizens should be able to ask legitimate questions about their utilisation and demand accountability through lawful channels.
The recommendations made by the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers' Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, particularly on the need for early ethical education and stronger traditional and societal mechanisms for promoting integrity, also point to the fact that the fight against corruption cannot be won through enforcement alone.
We must build a culture in which integrity is taught, accountability is valued and public resources are regarded as a sacred trust.
For our region, I see the new EFCC Directorate as an opportunity to deepen not only law enforcement, but also economic confidence and institutional cooperation.
Our people are industrious. They create businesses, invest, trade, employ others and contribute significantly to the Nigerian economy. They deserve an environment in which legitimate enterprise is protected from fraud, cybercrime, money laundering, advance-fee fraud, diversion of public resources and other forms of economic crime.
I therefore encourage the leadership and personnel of the EFCC Awka Directorate to see their assignment not merely as an enforcement responsibility, but also as a responsibility to protect legitimate enterprise, support institutional accountability and build public confidence in the rule of law.
I congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, GCON; Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR; Governor Hope Uzodimma, CON; the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede; the leadership of the National Assembly; and the entire EFCC team on this important milestone.
I am confident that, with professionalism, transparency, intergovernmental cooperation and strict adherence to the law, the new Awka Zonal Directorate can make a meaningful contribution to strengthening accountability and protecting the economic interests of Anambra, Imo and the wider South-East.
The fight against corruption is indeed a collective responsibility. Building a prosperous society requires not only the creation of wealth, but also the protection of the resources, institutions and values upon which that prosperity depends.
Hon. Engr. Dominic Okafor, FNSE, KSM (Ezechinyelugo)
Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Delegated Legislation
Chairman, Nigeria-Norway Parliamentary Friendship Group
Secretary, Anambra State Caucus, 10th House of Representatives,
MHR, Aguata Federal Constituency, Anambra State
