Many Nigerians believe that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is losing its bite as an anti-graft agency. Legal experts have weighed in on how the commission can restore confidence in its operations, writes ADEBISI ONANUGA.
The killing of an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Aminu Sahabi Salisu on January 17 generated huge furore on social media.
More than anything, some of the responses highlighted how much some citizens have lost confidence in many public agencies.
Rather than regret a life lost in the line of duty, some blamed the commission for focusing on internet fraudsters while looking away from powerful corrupt persons or those who have political connections.
The EFCC had expressed grief over the loss of its Assistant Superintendent.
It said it viewed with great concern the “irresponsible, callous, inhuman and outrageous” narratives being circulated on social media on the fatal accident.
“It is heinous to reduce the death of a gallant officer who was carrying out patriotic and official duties to social media razzmatazz,” the commission said in a statement by its Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale.
“More worrisome is the fact that some faceless commentators are pitching their tents with an alleged criminal who unleashed terror on officers of the EFCC in their line of duty.
“There is no justification whatsoever to rationalise a murderous act.
“The milk of human kindness demands that a grieving family, Commission and nation should be spared the shenanigans of false narratives and conjectures on the death of the slain officer.”
EFCC said Salisu, alongside other investigators of the EFCC, were at Dr. J.O. Ukwutinife Close, Ifite, Awka, Anambra State, to arrest some suspected internet fraudsters in the early hours of January 17.
It said the suspect, who sighted the investigators through a CCTV Camera mounted at his doorpost and who also confessed to sighting them, declined to open his door for the investigators.
“Defying all the introduction and physical sighting of the investigators, he resorted to firing shots at them and killed Salisu in the process and wounded another officer detailed to conduct a search in his apartment,” the commission said.
EFCC has gone ahead to immortalise the slain officer by naming the administrative block of its Academy in Karu, Abuja after him.
Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, said Salisu paid the supreme price in the service of the nation and his memory should be kept alive.
“We are saddened by the loss of our officer while on official assignment.
“He was a gallant officer and to this effect, the administrative block of the Academy is hereby named after him,” he said.
Carrot and stick
Observers stressed the need for the commission to cleanse itself of rogue officers.
In May 2017, an Inspector of the EFCC, Abel Isah Dickson, reportedly died after a scuffle with two colleagues over items collected from a suspect, including cash.
An Assistant Superintendent, Apata Oluwaseun Odunayo and an Inspector, Ogbuji Titu Tochukwu, were arraigned in a court in Sokoto for culpable homicide.
The recent incident Kaduna Zonal Office highlights why the commission needs cleansing.
An officer, identified as Polycarp, allegedly stole over $30,000 and other valuable exhibits.
Apparently, in a bid to restore confidence in its operations, the commission on January 6 announced the dismissal of 27 officers over alleged fraud and misconduct.
It took the action as part of its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements.
It said the officers’ dismissal last year followed the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee ratified by Olukoyede.
Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the Commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures.
“Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the commission would always be investigated.
“The core values of the commission are sacrosanct and would always be held in optimal regard at all times,” the EFCC said.
Two days later, the commission said it detailed 10 of its operatives in its Lagos Command over missing items.
The officers are to face internal disciplinary processes over the alleged theft if found culpable.
The statement said: “In its continuing efforts to sweep the EFCC clean of corrupt tendencies, 10 officers of the Lagos Command of the commission are being detained over the investigation of some missing items involving them.
“The officers are answering questions related to the theft of some operational items that they could not account for.
“Investigators are making good progress and those found culpable will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes.”
While it is trying to purge itself of bad elements, the commission is also rewarding hardworking staff.
On January 25, EFCC honoured officers who discharged their assignments excellently in the course of the year 2024.
Among the recipients were 35 officers and 30 Sections of the Commission.
The breakdown shows that 20 officers emerged from each department as Staff of the Year, while 15 prosecutors were honoured from each Zonal Directorate for securing the highest convictions.
Awards for the highest recoveries and highest convictions went to 15 Sections each from across the Zonal Directorate; as Sokoto Directorate won the Best Zonal Directorate of the year.
While the staff of the Year went to Alvan Gurumnaan of the Department of Special Duties, the late Salisu got a post-humous award for bravery.
Staff of the year went home with a brand new car.
Best staff in departments were rewarded with N500,000; prosecutors of the year went home with N1million.
The 30 sections with the highest recoveries and convictions also went home with N1million each.
Hazardous job
A top investigator with the EFCC, on June 24, 2017, escaped death by the whiskers when gunmen opened fire on him in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Mr. Austin Okwor, an operative in the Property Fraud Section of the EFCC Zonal office in Port Harcourt, had closed late for the day and as he left office.
He was accosted by a gang of daredevil hoodlums who opened fire on him.
Fortunately, he was able to shake off his assailants but not without sustaining some bullet wounds as they kept firing at him.
Okwor was one of the operatives investigating some sensitive cases including that about corrupt judicial officials.
Before the incident, the officer had been receiving threatening messages.
One of such messages which he received sometime in May 2017 was reported to the Police.
This incident underlines the hazards which operatives of the Commission are daily exposed to in the discharge of their duties.
On September 14, 2010, the head of the Commission’s Forensic Unit, Abdullahi Muazu was shot and killed by gunmen in Kaduna.
Six months earlier, a team of prosecutors returning to Enugu after a court appearance in Owerri, Imo state was attacked by gunmen who opened fire on them.
Sergeant Eze Edoga the police escort was cut down while a senior counsel with the Commission, Joseph Uzor was critically wounded but survived.
Why EFCC goes after internet fraudsters
EFCC has come under criticism for leaving those considered “big thieves” to go after internet fraudsters.
But the commission has defended its actions.
It said: “The EFCC wishes to alert the public that the activities of internet fraudsters are becoming patently hazardous to public safety and security.
“Intelligence has shown that these criminals are carrying arms, involved in kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings and other deadly acts.
“The public should not fold its arms or allow itself to be deceived that they are mere ‘Yahoo boys and girls’”.
Is the commission losing its bite?
In November last year, EFCC said it recovered N248.7billion, $105,423,190.39, £53,133.64 and others in a year.
It said about 3,455 convictions were secured, while four former governors and three ex-ministers are on trial.
A breakthrough was the EFCC’s handing over of $180,300 and 53 vehicles to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Olukoyede, who took over on October 18, 2023, said the assets were recovered for Canadian victims of Nigerian fraudsters.
Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwugiaren, said: “In the past year, the EFCC under Olukoyede’s watch secured 3,455 convictions across all categories of financial crimes and corruption.
“Monetary Asset Recoveries in Naira: N248,750,049,365.52.
“In the one year of Olukoyede’s leadership, the EFCC recorded $105,423,190.39, £ 53,133.64, €172,547.10, T1,300.00 (Indian Rupees), CAD $3,400.00, ¥74,859:00 (Chinese Yuan), AUS $ 740:00, 170:00 UAE DIRHAM, 73,000:00 KOREAN WON, CFA 7,821,375:00 (West African CFA) to R 50:00 (South Africa Rands).”
On the return of cash and vehicles to Canada police, Olukoyede said: “On September 6, 2024, the EFCC boss handed over to the RCMP the sum of $180,300 and 53 vehicles, being assets recovered for Canadian victims of Nigerian fraudsters.
“One Hundred and Sixty-four Thousand US Dollars ($164,000) of the recovered cash assets was for a victim, identified as Elena Bogomas, while $16,300 belonged to a victim, known as Sandra Butler.
“The recovered 53 vehicles were stolen over a period of time in Canada, freighted to Nigeria and distributed to multiple locations in Nigeria by the criminal elements.
“Representing the Canadian authorities and the RCMP in the handover ceremony were Robert Aboumitri, First Secretary, Deputy High Commission of Canada and Nasser Salihou, Liaison Officer and Programme Manager, RCMP.
“On September 20, 2024, Olukoyede handed over €5,100 proceeds of crime to the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Juan Ignacio Sell, being the sum recovered from a Nigerian romance fraudster for Heinz Burchard Einhaus Uchtmann, a Spanish victim by the EFCC in collaboration with the Spanish Police.”
“During Olukoyede’s one year as EFCC Chairman, beginning from October 18, 2023 to October 18, 2024, the Commission has charged four former governors, namely: Yahaya Adoza Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Darius Dickson Ishaku, (Taraba) to court for alleged corruption.
“Two former ministers of power have been arrested and facing prosecution by the commission. They are Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye. A third is former minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.”
Room for improvement
Senior lawyers have identified areas of improvement.
Those who spoke include a forensic advocate and International Law Consultant, Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye (SAN); frontline litigator, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN) and a former Commissioner of Ogun State Judicial Service Commission, Abayomi Omoyinmi.
Kalejaye argued that the Commission is delivering on its mandate, though it could do more.
He noted that the criticism of the agency is largely from those adversely affected by its work.
“Of course, those who have transgressed over the years cannot be happy with the agency, and they will do all in their powers to rubbish its work.
“I am even impressed that the agency evolved into a self-cleaning mechanism, and this tells me that it can only get better,” he said
Dr. Shittu said Salisu’s death highlights operatives’ sacrifices.
According to him, the EFCC has consistently positioned itself as a formidable force in Nigeria’s fight against corruption and economic crimes.
He however noted that in recent months, the agency has faced significant challenges and criticisms, yet it continues to demonstrate resilience and an unwavering commitment to its mandate.
He said the tragic death of Salisu during a raid in Anambra State underscores the dangers EFCC officers face daily.
“Salisu, while apprehending suspected internet fraudsters, became a martyr for the anti-corruption crusade.
“This incident not only highlights the high stakes involved in tackling cybercrime but also serves as a grim reminder of the sacrifices made by those on the frontline of the fight against economic sabotage.
“Amid these challenges, the EFCC has boldly undertaken a self-cleansing exercise, rooting out internal bad eggs to restore its integrity and public trust,” he said.
Shittu argued that the recent dismissal of compromised officers reflects the agency’s internal accountability mechanisms and its determination to lead by example.
He said: “This initiative should be lauded as evidence of an organisation unafraid to introspect and take corrective actions to uphold its reputation.
“Contrary to criticisms suggesting that the EFCC is losing focus by prioritising internet fraud over broader corruption, the agency’s achievements paint a different picture.
“Over the years, the EFCC has recovered substantial assets, including over N120 billion in stolen funds in 2022 alone, alongside properties and luxury items seized from corrupt individuals.”
Shittu also posited that the Commission has also secured ground-breaking convictions, such as the sentencing of Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, to eight years in prison for laundering over N2 billion.
Similarly, the convictions of former governors Jolly Nyame of Taraba State and Joshua Dariye of Plateau State for embezzlement reflect its ability to hold high-profile individuals accountable, he said.
On cybercrime, he said the EFCC has made significant progress, arresting and prosecuting thousands of internet fraudsters through operations targeting “Yahoo Boys.”
“These efforts have led to the seizure of luxury cars, properties, and millions in cash, sending a strong deterrent message.
“The Commission has also demonstrated its global reach, facilitating the repatriation of $311 million in Abacha loot from the United States and Jersey in 2020 through international collaboration.
“These accomplishments highlight the EFCC’s balanced approach to combating both traditional and emerging financial crimes.”
Wanted: sustained investment in training, inter-agency collaboration
Moving forward, Shittu said the EFCC could further enhance its impact through improved public engagement and transparency.
“By showcasing its successes more vividly and dispelling misconceptions, he believes the commission can foster greater public support.
“Sustained investment in officer training and inter-agency collaboration will also ensure the EFCC stays ahead of increasingly sophisticated financial crimes,” Shittu said.
The SAN contended that the EFCC remains a critical pillar in Nigeria’s anti-graft framework.
“Its ability to confront both internal and external challenges while maintaining its mission underscores its resilience and effectiveness.
“Far from losing focus, the EFCC is adapting to the realities of modern corruption and economic crimes,” he said.
According to him, with continued support and reforms, the Commission is poised to achieve even greater successes in its noble mission to safeguard Nigeria’s economic integrity.
Internal cleansing necessary
Omoyinmi noted that the EFCC has the power to investigate any form of fraud, money laundering and other forms of corrupt malpractices.
He said: “The agency has been over the years effective in their responsibilities in tackling crime, but have been in the recent time on headline news for corruption amongst their officials.
“It now seems to be losing its bite regarding anti-graft war.”
Omoyinmi said there is a need for urgent internal cleansing.
“The credibility of the institution has been severely undermined due to the indictment of some of its staff.
“Political influence may also be affecting its operations,” he said.
Stronger oversight needed
On areas of improvement, he said: “There should be stronger oversight, internal reforms, adequate training, and adherence to the rule of law rather than the rule of force.”
Calling for regular auditing, he said there was a need to put mechanisms in place to check their officials that compromise on their operations.
It also said operatives should be placed on some kind of surveillance to properly monitor their behaviour.
He believes the commission can still restore public confidence through reforms and effective feedback mechanisms.
