The Nigerian Senate has praised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what it described as an “unprecedented and disciplined performance” in the fight against financial crimes, citing its record-breaking achievements in 2024.
During plenary, lawmakers lauded the EFCC’s professionalism, resilience, and results-driven approach despite limited resources and a complex criminal environment. The commendation followed a motion sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Udende (APC, Benue North East), who disclosed that the EFCC received 15,724 petitions, opened 12,928 case files, filed 5,008 cases in court, and secured 4,111 convictions—the highest in the agency’s history since its establishment in 2003.
Udende added that the Commission recovered billions in local and foreign currencies, along with forfeited assets, strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal outlook and boosting investor confidence.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (APC, Ebonyi) hailed the EFCC’s “revolutionary transformation,” asserting that for the first time, the agency had earned public trust without resorting to “media trials.” He credited President Bola Tinubu’s administration for appointing “competent, reform-minded” leadership at the EFCC and maintaining robust funding support.
However, Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central) raised concerns about the EFCC’s retention of a statutory percentage of recovered assets, questioning whether the Senate had granted the necessary legislative approval. “The EFCC may be entitled under the law, but due process must prevail,” he cautioned, calling for greater parliamentary oversight.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio clarified that any retention of recovered funds must be approved by the President and subsequently ratified by the Senate. He reaffirmed that “the EFCC’s role extends beyond prosecution—it deters crime. Every conviction prevents many others.”
Akpabio directed the relevant committees to verify compliance with the statutory retention process and assured continued legislative backing for the nation’s anti-corruption crusade.
The Senate’s latest stance underscores a cautious but renewed confidence in Nigeria’s anti-graft architecture—balancing praise for the EFCC’s progress with demands for transparency and accountability in its financial operations.
