NBA Lauds Olukoyede’s Anti-Graft Drive, Seeks Stronger Partnership with EFCC

By Joseph Sunday

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, for his leadership in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

Badejo-Okusanya gave the commendation on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Abuja, when she led a delegation of the NBA on a courtesy visit to the Commission’s corporate headquarters.

She said the NBA had closely followed the Commission’s performance in investigation, prosecution and recovery of proceeds of crime, noting that the impact was tangible.

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

The NBA President also commended the EFCC and other sister agencies for Nigeria’s recent delisting from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, describing it as a major boost for the nation’s business climate.

According to her, the delisting has restored confidence in Nigeria’s financial system, encouraged capital inflows and made cross-border transactions more seamless and less expensive.

“For us as lawyers, we are grateful for the removal of the country from the FATF grey list. Our clients are now able to do business with ease. We are grateful to the Commission and we hope for more of such positive impact,” she stated.

Badejo-Okusanya reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the EFCC in promoting a lawful and orderly society, stressing that economic development thrives on a strong legal system.

She pledged the Association’s readiness to support the Commission with professional expertise and knowledge sharing, and called for closer collaboration in sanitising the legal profession and strengthening the rule of law.

In his response, Olukoyede attributed Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list to the collective efforts of the EFCC and other law enforcement and regulatory agencies.

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

The EFCC Chairman reiterated that the Commission operates within the confines of the law and remains accountable to the public.

“One promise I made to Nigerians is to use the instrumentality of this law to stimulate the economy and to work within the confines of the law. We are responsible to the public,” Olukoyede said.

He added that the Commission is now placing greater emphasis on prevention, with the creation of the Department of Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) to proactively check corruption before funds are stolen.