NBA Seeks Closer Collaboration With EFCC To Tackle Corruption

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has called for closer collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to strengthen the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, made the call on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when she led a delegation of the Association on a courtesy visit to the EFCC Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

Badejo-Okusanya commended EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for his leadership and the Commission’s efforts in investigating and prosecuting economic and financial crimes, as well as recovering proceeds of crime.

She said the NBA had followed the Commission’s activities, particularly its reported recoveries and convictions, and could see the impact of its work.

“When we see things that are done and done properly, we appreciate them. We followed carefully what is being done at EFCC, especially the statistics in recoveries and convictions. We can see, feel, and hear the impact of his works.”

The NBA President also commended the EFCC and other stakeholders for Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, grey list, saying the development had improved the country’s business environment.

She said the development would boost confidence in Nigeria’s financial system and make cross-border transactions easier and less expensive.

“For us as lawyers, we are grateful for the removal of the country from the FATF grey list.

This brings out increased inflows. Our clients are able to do business. Cross-border transactions are now seamless and less expensive.”

Badejo-Okusanya pledged the NBA’s professional expertise and support to the EFCC, particularly in knowledge sharing and strengthening the rule of law.

She said a strong legal system was essential to economic development and the creation of a lawful and orderly society.

Responding, Olukoyede said Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list was achieved through the efforts of the EFCC and other sister agencies, with support from stakeholders including the NBA.

“Most of the works that led to Nigeria’s removal from the list were done by EFCC and in collaboration with all our sister agencies. Nigeria is now on a better footing in the world financial ecosystem.”

The EFCC chairman also said the Commission conducts its investigations within the confines of the law and remains accountable to the public.

He said the EFCC was strengthening preventive measures to tackle corruption before funds were stolen, rather than waiting until crimes had been committed.

“We are committed to this and this is why a whole department, Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, FRAC, was established.”

Olukoyede also pledged to work with the NBA on sanitising the legal profession and deepening cooperation between both institutions in the fight against economic and financial crimes.