Reforming Nigeria’s anti-graft agency

In a country grappling with the crippling effects of corruption, the role of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is pivotal. Under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede, the EFCC is undergoing critical reforms that promise to reshape its operations and refocus its mandate.

These moves signal a commitment not just to fighting corruption but to doing so in ways that align with Nigeria’s broader economic and social development goals.

One of the most transformative aspects of Olukoyede’s reforms is the strategic alignment of the EFCC’s activities with Nigeria’s economic growth agenda. Recognising the detrimental impact of corruption on economic stability, Olukoyede has emphasised the need to distinguish between illicit proceeds of crime and legitimate business earnings.

This nuanced approach aims to prevent the EFCC from inadvertently stifling business activities, thereby fostering a more business-friendly environment. Such a shift is not only pragmatic but essential in a nation striving to attract investment and create jobs.

“Prevention is better than cure” is a well-worn adage that Olukoyede appears to take seriously. His emphasis on preventive strategies represents a significant departure from the commission’s traditional focus on after-the-fact enforcement. By deploying measures aimed at deterring corrupt practices before they occur, the EFCC can save government resources and reduce the societal costs of corruption.

In a country where accusations of heavy-handedness have sometimes tarnished the EFCC’s image, Olukoyede’s insistence on adhering to the rule of law is a welcome development. By ensuring that the commission’s operations are conducted within legal frameworks, the EFCC under Olukoyede’s leadership aims to rebuild public trust and establish itself as a bastion of justice. This commitment to legality also ensures that the agency’s actions are less likely to be overturned in court, thus enhancing its effectiveness and credibility.

Reforming an institution as critical as the EFCC requires internal change as much as external action. Olukoyede has pledged to improve staff welfare and professional standards within the agency. Notably, his directive for all EFCC personnel to declare their assets underscores a commitment to accountability and integrity that starts from within. By setting a high bar for transparency among its staff, the EFCC is better positioned to demand the same from the public.

In terms of administration, Olukoyede has put a new face and identity to all the key structures of the EFCC.  The operations department is now called the investigations department, and zonal commands have become zonal directorates with directors heading each of them.

The Department of Internal Affairs has been renamed the Department of Ethics and Integrity.  Two new departments, fraud risk assessment and control and security, were created.  While FRAC handles the preventive work of the EFCC, the security department handles all issues of internal and external security. Also, in one fell swoop, Olukoyede opened new zonal offices in Enugu and Ilorin and expanded the administrative breadth of the EFCC.

Operationally, the anti-graft czar reviewed the bail and arrest procedures of the commission to ensure the sanctity of the rule of law.  He gave spirit and strength to Section 5 of the EFCC Act, which offers a level playing field to every staff member of the commission to attain the highest in the workplace.  This effectively broke the age-long dichotomy between operatives and non-operatives in the commission.

All these are in addition to the furnace he brought to the fight against graft, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of many politically- exposed persons. To date, Olukoyede has arraigned three former governors, three former ministers, and an ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria before the court.

Investigations are ongoing into many important cases, including the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.  So far, the agency under Olukoyede’s watch has secured 3455 convictions and made staggering monetary convictions between October 2023 and September 2024.

The Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarisation of the Economy has succeeded in changing the behavioural patterns of Nigerians in the handling of the national currency.  Naira abuse has almost become a thing of the past, with over 35 convictions secured in this regard.  The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre, observed that the measures taken by the commission against naira abuse amount to “preservation of the integrity of the national currency, the naira”.

Conscious of the need to involve the public in its anti-graft campaign, the commission launched a radio station in May 2024 in this regard.  The station, EFCC 97.3 FM, has been dominating the airwaves by broadcasting anti-corruption messages within its area of coverage.  Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, affirmed that the radio project would offer the commission opportunities to fight fake news, distortion of its operational mandate and outright falsehood.

 Commendably, the commission has also been active in its public outreach activities.  One such initiative was the National Dialogue on Cybercrimes with the theme ‘Youth, Religion and Fight against Corruption’, convened on January 31, 2024.  Nigerians from all walks of life, including President Bola Tinubu, identified with the programme.

Olukoyede’s good works have also attracted international recognition and applause. A Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Christopher Wray, during a recent visit to the commission, was upbeat about the partnership and collaboration between the two agencies.

The Canadian Royal Mounted Police also lavished praises on the Olukoyede-led EFCC for the recovery and hand-over of 53 vehicles and the sum of $180,300- assets recovered for Canadian victims of Nigerian fraudsters. The First Secretary, Deputy High Commission of Canada, Robert Aboumitri and the Liaison Officer and Programme Manager, RCMP, Nasser Salihou, appreciated the EFCC’s efforts.

At the regional level, Olukoyede is serving as the president of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa.  He has received accolades for championing the implementation of the ECOWAS protocol in the fight against corruption and strengthening collaboration among the institutions.

To encourage the staff, the chairman recently approved the promotion of 900 personnel during the commission’s 2024 rewards and recognition ceremony in Abuja, during which 35 staff members were rewarded. Olukoyede also announced the reinstatement of life and property insurance for EFCC operatives, a policy that had been absent for two decades.

While the institute anti-graft reforms are commendable, they are not without challenges. Recently, there was a case regarding the alleged theft of exhibits in the Lagos zonal office, a very egregious conduct by some errant staff.  Nigerians await the outcome of the ongoing investigation and measures to prevent a recurrence.

Also, there have been complaints about the modus operandi of the commission concerning raids. The tragic killing of an operative during an operation in Awka, Anambra State, last week foregrounds the need for compliance with standard procedure. The agency would do well to work within its established SOP.   The dismissal of 27 staff for fraudulent activities and misconduct shows that the EFCC under Olukoyede’s watch will not condone acts of indiscipline.

Resistance from entrenched interests, logistical constraints, and the sheer scale of corruption in Nigeria are formidable obstacles. The success of the reforms depends not just on Olukoyede’s leadership but also on sustained political will and public support. Nigerians must hold the EFCC accountable while also supporting its efforts to create a fairer, more transparent society.

The commission’s boss’s vision represents a bold and necessary step forward in Nigeria’s fight against corruption. By aligning anti-graft efforts with economic growth, focusing on prevention, adhering to the rule of law, and prioritising internal accountability, he is charting a path that could redefine the EFCC’s role in national development.

For a country yearning for progress and integrity, these reforms offer a glimmer of hope that the fight against corruption can be both effective and equitable. Now, more than ever, Nigerians must rally behind this new direction to ensure its success.

• Chukwudi writes from Abuja