President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the leadership of Ola Olukoyede at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for significant strides in asset recovery and convictions. Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 7th EFCC-NJI Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges on October 20, 2025, at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, Tinubu highlighted the theme “Enhancing Justice in the Fight against Economic and Financial Crimes.”
Tinubu noted that his administration has prioritized public accountability by granting anti-corruption agencies independence to fulfill their mandates. He cited the EFCC’s record of over 7,000 convictions and recovery of more than ₦500 billion in assets within the past two years, with recovered funds supporting social investment programs like student loans and consumer credit schemes.
He urged judges and justices to play a pivotal role in combating corruption, emphasizing that a robust judiciary is essential for success. Tinubu stressed that rooting out corruption requires collective commitment to upholding justice and punishing offenders, warning that societal confidence in anti-corruption efforts depends on fair and transparent judicial processes. He reminded judges that they, too, face the consequences of corruption, as all Nigerians share the same markets, hospitals, and security challenges stemming from decades of resource mismanagement.
Tinubu called for unity across the executive, legislature, and judiciary to win the war against corruption, stating, “A Nigeria free of corruption is possible if we all commit to doing what is right and ensuring deviants face justice.”
In his remarks, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede underscored the judiciary’s critical role in enforcing the rule of law and accountability, a perspective reinforced during his two years leading the EFCC. He expressed concern over lengthy courtroom procedures that hinder progress in high-profile corruption cases.
