In a
compelling interview with ARISE NEWS, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, Vice
Chairman of the South East Constitution Review Committee, laid out a bold
vision for how Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could
eradicate corruption from the public sector.
According to the senator, the key lies in sustaining the Commission’s current momentum and operational efficiency.
Senator
Nwaebonyi praised the EFCC’s transformation under its present leadership,
noting a shift from what he described as “media trial” tactics to a
results-driven approach. He emphasized that the Commission has secured
thousands of convictions in just over two years, a feat that signals genuine
progress. “You remember that before now, EFCC was doing more of a media trial
without achieving much results. But you can see within these two years plus,
EFCC has secured a lot of convictions, showing that they are working,” he
stated.
The
senator also highlighted the EFCC’s independence and professionalism,
suggesting that these qualities are essential for its continued success. He
believes that if the agency maintains its current trajectory, corruption could
be completely eradicated from Nigeria’s public institutions.
Backing
this optimism, recent Senate reports revealed that in 2024 alone, the EFCC
received 15,724 petitions, opened 12,928 case files, filed 5,008 cases in court,
and secured 4,111 convictions, the highest in its history. Financial recoveries
exceeded ₦365 billion, further demonstrating the Commission’s effectiveness
under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Senate
President Godswill Akpabio echoed these sentiments, attributing the EFCC’s
success to strategic leadership appointments and focused oversight. He urged
the Commission to continue publishing data on its achievements to reinforce
public trust and accountability.
Senator
Nwaebonyi’s remarks and the Senate’s commendations converge on a central theme:
with sustained leadership, independence, and transparency, the EFCC could
become the cornerstone of Nigeria’s anti-corruption renaissance.
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