By Opeyemi Adelakun
Lawyer and public affairs commentator, Deji Adeyanju, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to intensify its scrutiny of state government finances, particularly the increased revenues accruing to states since the removal of the petrol subsidy.
Adeyanju’s call followed recent figures released by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, detailing the commission’s recoveries and convictions between October 2023 and June 2026.
Olukoyede disclosed that the commission recovered more than N1.23tn, $684.48m, £373,905.78 and €9.34m during the period.
He also said N661.32bn and $492.37m had been released to beneficiaries, while the commission secured 10,872 convictions from 14,476 cases filed within the period under review.
Reacting to the figures in a statement on Monday, Adeyanju commended the commission’s performance and urged it to sustain its anti-corruption efforts.
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.
However, the lawyer said the commission’s responsibility should extend beyond recovering funds allegedly stolen in the past.
He argued that greater attention should now be directed towards protecting public funds that governments currently receive, particularly at the state level.
Adeyanju noted that the removal of the petrol subsidy had resulted in increased revenues and fiscal inflows to state governments, making transparency and accountability in the management of the funds a matter of public interest.
“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.”
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