Track state revenues, Adeyanju urges EFCC

A lawyer and public affairs commentator, Deji Adeyanju, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to track state revenues following its recent recoveries and convictions.

Recall that the EFCC boss, Ola Olukoyede, had said that the agency recovered over N1.23tn, $684.48m, £373,905.78 and €9.34m between October 2023 and June 2026.

He added that N661.32bn and $492.37m had been released to beneficiaries within the period under review.

The EFCC boss also noted that the commission secured 10,872 convictions from 14,476 cases filed during the period.

Reacting to the development n a statement on Monday, Adeyanju said the figures released by the commission demonstrated that sustained efforts could produce tangible results in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

He also commended the anti-graft agency for its recent achievements under the leadership of its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

He said, “The recent disclosure by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede, on the achievements of the Commission deserves commendation. The figures speak for themselves.

“These figures demonstrate that sustained efforts can produce tangible results in the fight against economic and financial crimes. The EFCC should therefore be encouraged to sustain this momentum and do even more,” Adeyanju stated.

Adeyanju said the anti-corruption campaign should go beyond the recovery of stolen funds to preventing the diversion of public resources.

He argued that the increase in revenue received by state governments following the removal of the petrol subsidy made it necessary for the EFCC to pay closer attention to how such funds were being utilised.

He said, “More importantly, the fight against corruption must extend beyond recovering yesterday’s stolen funds to preventing the diversion of tomorrow’s public resources.

“Following the removal of the petrol subsidy, state governments have received significantly increased revenues and fiscal inflows. Nigerians have a legitimate right to know how these additional resources are being applied.

“The EFCC should, within its statutory mandate, pay closer attention to credible allegations concerning the diversion or misuse of these funds and follow the money from allocation to expenditure.

“The Commission has made commendable progress, but the fight against corruption cannot be won through recoveries alone.”