The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has on Friday, October 2, 2026, commissioned its new Zonal Directorate Complex in Awka, Anambra State, to strengthen its operations and expand access to justice in Anambra and Imo states.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for establishing its South-East zonal headquarters in Awka, Anambra State, describing the move as a major step towards bringing the commission closer to the people.
Uzodimma, who spoke at the official commissioning of the EFCC Awka Zonal Directorate, said the decentralisation of the commission’s operations would save residents of the South-East the stress of travelling to Lagos or Abuja to attend to EFCC-related matters.
He also praised EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for what he described as a more humane approach to the commission’s operations.
“Under the administration of the current chairman, the modus operandi of EFCC has a human face. People are beginning to know that they are not enemies; rather, they can be your friends,” he said.
The governor urged residents of the South-East to cooperate with the EFCC, stressing that the commission was established by law and should be regarded as a partner in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
Uzodimma also appealed to Olukoyede to establish an EFCC office in Imo State, assuring the commission of the state government’s willingness to provide support.
He said the South-East Governors’ Forum was pleased with the commission’s activities and would continue to partner with it.
Speaking also, the host governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, pledged his administration’s full cooperation with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the fight against economic and financial crimes as critical to Nigeria’s development.
Soludo said the establishment of the office would help take the anti-corruption campaign closer to the grassroots.
He said economic and financial crimes undermine revenue generation, investment and development, stressing that “fighting crime is everybody’s responsibility.”
The governor called for greater collaboration between the state and the EFCC, including training for civil servants and local government officials on procurement procedures, revenue management and other safeguards against financial crimes.
Soludo also commended the EFCC for what he described as its professionalism, citing his personal experience with an investigation conducted after he left office as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He said the state was strengthening its own anti-corruption mechanisms, including whistleblowing and reporting systems, and assured the EFCC of Anambra’s “fullest cooperation and commitment” in its operations.
Speaking earlier, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the new directorate was part of the commission’s ongoing expansion aimed at bringing its mandate closer to Nigerians and the economic activities it seeks to protect.
Olukoyede said the facility would focus not only on enforcement but also on preventing corruption through engagement with government institutions, businesses, financial institutions, professional bodies, schools, markets, traditional institutions, religious organisations and communities.
According to him, between October 2023 and July 2026, the EFCC received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 cases, filed 14,476 cases in court and secured 10,872 convictions, representing a conviction-to-filing ratio of 75.1 per cent.
He added that the commission recovered ₦1.23 trillion, $684.48 million, £373,905.78 and €9.34 million during the period.
The EFCC chairman also disclosed that nearly 60 per cent of the commission’s processes and operations had been digitalised, alongside reforms covering arrest and bail procedures, sting operations, ethics, exhibit security and cybercrime response.
Olukoyede urged residents to adopt what he described as a “conscious watch” against corruption by reporting suspicious activities and protecting public resources.
He charged officers of the new directorate to enforce the law professionally, stressing that they must “investigate, not prejudge” and respect citizens while carrying out their duties.
He expressed appreciation to the Anambra State Government for supporting the establishment of the facility.
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