Collaboration With Stakeholders Key to our Successes, Olukoyede

The Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC,  Mr. Ola Olukoyede on Wednesday November 19, 2025 disclosed that collaboration with relevant stakeholders and law enforcement agencies has been critical to the successes of the Commission.

Speaking on the topic: “Leveraging Collaboration and Reporting in the Fight against Graft” at the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, to mark the International Fraud  Awareness Week,  the EFCC boss who was represented by the Head,  Public Affairs Department,  Benin Zonal Directorate,   Assistant Commander of the EFCC,  ACE1 Williams Oseghale,  noted that collaboration was critical in combating fraud and criminality as no single agency can do it all alone. "It is indeed pleasing that at this critical time in our history as a nation, the prestigious citadel of learning is emphasizing collaboration and reporting as effective tools in the fight against fraud," he said.

He disclosed that the EFCC, through collaboration, has been able to bring scores of suspects to justice, who would have evaded arrest and prosecution. "The benefits of collaboration are not one dimensional. The foreign law enforcement agencies have equally received support from the Commission in tackling some transnational crimes. In a number of instances, some perpetrators of fraud in the US who returned to Nigeria to escape prosecution have been arrested and extradited to the US to face trial. At the national level, the Commission collaborates with military and other law enforcement agencies,” he said.

He referenced  the  successful deportation of 192 foreigners who were involved in cybercrime in Nigeria through the collaborative efforts of the EFCC and the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, and further disclosed that it was the collaboration between the EFCC and school authorities that has enabled the Commission to establish Tolerance Clubs in number of tertiary institutions and Integrity clubs in many secondary and primary schools which is aimed at inculcating integrity, honesty, discipline, sense of responsibility, tolerance and patriotism in the younger generation. 

He admonished the students to shun internet fraud and show patriotism by reporting fraudulent practices whenever they notice any. "We will continue to encourage citizens to take advantage of the whistleblowing policy and to share corruption-related information with law enforcement agencies," he said.

Professor Rosemary O. Obasi, Dean, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences commended the Commission for the enlightenment.  She noted that the initiative to organise the programme was due to the growing concerns over young people's involvement in fraud and the get-rich-quick mentality.

"You helped the audience to grasp the implications of indulging in fraud and also helped them know how to report cases of fraud as well as emphasised the benefits of ethical living," she said.

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