President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday inaugurated a new zonal directorate office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, charging the agency to sustain its anti-corruption campaign through stronger institutions, better tools and improved working conditions.
The president, who was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said strengthening anti-graft agencies remains a matter of national importance tied to safety, prosperity and economic development.
According to him, law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies such as the EFCC must be adequately equipped with modern facilities, competitive work environments, training opportunities and operational independence to enhance efficiency.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting anti-corruption institutions through improved welfare packages, capacity building and conducive office infrastructure.
“I am confident that this facility will further motivate EFCC staff to rededicate themselves to combating economic and financial crimes which remain major obstacles to our nation’s progress,” Tinubu said.
He noted that the EFCC plays a critical role in both economic recovery and national security, adding that its recent operations against cybercrime and financial fraud have yielded significant results.
He cited the dismantling of a foreign-controlled cryptocurrency syndicate in Lagos, which led to the conviction of 192 foreigners, as evidence of the commission’s growing effectiveness.
The president also said recovered funds from anti-corruption operations had contributed to social investment programmes such as student loans and consumer credit schemes.
Tinubu further praised the EFCC for prosecuting high-profile corruption cases, including convictions involving a former minister and a former managing director of a national investment bank, describing it as a signal that corruption will not go unpunished.
He urged the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to sustain their efforts until corruption is reduced to the barest minimum.
Earlier, EFCC Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman Mr Ola Olukoyede said the new office would improve operational reach across Ekiti and Ondo States and close long-standing enforcement gaps caused by distance and jurisdiction overlap.
He said fraudsters would now find it more difficult to operate in the region due to improved presence and enforcement capacity.
Also speaking, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji said the new facility would enhance EFCC operations and reduce the burden on victims of financial crimes who previously had to travel long distances to seek justice.
He said the establishment of the zonal office would improve access to justice and strengthen the fight against economic crimes in the region.
The governor expressed optimism that the new office would address past operational challenges and improve efficiency in investigations and prosecutions.
Source: NAN
Edited by: Deborah Yakub
