EU Strengthens Collaboration With EFCC

The European Union, EU, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, particularly in the areas of anti-corruption, cybercrime, training and financial crime investigation and prosecution.
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EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of the EFCC.

Stressing the strategic importance of the EFCC and basis for partnership with the Commission, he stated that “the role of the EFCC is so important for us, both for the stability and prosperity of Nigeria and for our partnership, to be able to tell our potential investors: you can safely come to Nigeria.

There is a compliant business environment because you have strong institutions like the EFCC to make sure that this is the place,” he said.

Mignot expressed satisfaction with the longstanding partnership between the EU and the EFCC, which he said had existed since the establishment of the Commission, noting that the relationship had continued over the years, particularly through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme.

He assured that the EU remained committed to continuing the partnership and supporting efforts to strengthen the institutional capacity of the EFCC, improve investigative effectiveness and enhance prosecution.

“We are very much committed to continuing this partnership, doing whatever we can do to strengthen the institution, improve investigative effectiveness and prosecution,” he said.

He further stressed that the EU had ongoing actions aimed at supporting the fight against cybercrime, describing the issue as a priority for the EFCC in view of its growing prevalence. To solidify this, he disclosed that the EU had proposed training for EFCC personnel on the Cybercrime Response Centre, with the modalities of the training still being worked out.

He added that the EU was also strengthening its support for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance, while congratulating the EFCC on its efforts in the fight against corruption and cybercrime.

He said the visit was taking place at a very good moment in the EU-Nigeria partnership, stressing that the EU, alongside its 14 member nations, remains a major trading, investment and cooperation partner of Nigeria.

According to him, the EU is committed to deepening its partnership with Africa and leveraging more private investment, particularly by mobilising European companies to partner with Nigerian businesses to develop local manufacturing value chains and other sectors, including agriculture. “Governance issues remain a core priority for us, also as an enabler for the development of investment and for the organisation of EU companies,” he said.

The Ambassador noted that European companies are particularly attentive to the business environment and compliance issues, stressing that the role of the EFCC was therefore important to the stability and prosperity of Nigeria as well as the EU-Nigeria partnership. He expressed optimism that the existence of strong institutions such as the EFCC would give potential European investors confidence to do business in Nigeria.

Responding, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, described the Commission as Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency, responsible for coordinating the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes in the country.

Olukoyede said the Commission had, over the years, continued to work towards ridding the country of economic and financial crimes, noting that it had recently recorded significant progress in the fight against cybercrime and terrorism financing.

“Over the years, we have strived to ensure that the country is rid of economic and financial crimes.

Recently, we recorded a modest achievement in the area of the fight against cybercrime and terrorism financing. We were taken off the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and we are looking forward to doing more,” he said.

The EFCC Chairman recalled that while appearing before the National Assembly during his swearing-in, he had told Nigerians that he would use his position and the instrumentality of the anti-corruption fight to stimulate the economy and attract investment into the country.

He said the Commission’s anti-corruption mandate was not only about investigating and prosecuting financial crimes but also about creating an environment where legitimate businesses and investments could thrive.

Olukoyede explained that the proposed Cybercrime Response Centre was part of efforts to protect investments and strengthen the country’s response to cybercrime.

EU Strengthens Collaboration With EFCC

He said the centre, when fully operational, would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the capacity to respond to reports in real time, gather intelligence, respond to petitions and act on relevant information.

“The essence of the centre is to handle real-time reports, gather intelligence, react to petitions, information and all of that,” he said.

Olukoyede assured the EU Ambassador and European countries of the Commission’s readiness to support legitimate investors and protect the business environment from the threats posed by economic and financial crimes.

“Be rest assured that we are here to support all the entire EU countries, particularly their investors,” he said.
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Party De-registration: ADC Welcomes Unanimous Judgment, As Court Of Appeal Vindicates The Party

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes the unanimous judgment of the Court of Appeal setting aside in its entirety the judgment of the Federal High Court which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other political parties.
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We take particular note of the declaration of the Court of Appeal that the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu actually concocted evidence in favour of the plaintiff on this matter while accusing the judge of flagrant disobedience to the directives of the superior court, describing his conduct as judicial indiscipline, impertinence and insubordination.

The ADC described the decision of the Court of Appeal as vindication of the position consistently maintained by the party from the outset: that the case does not have any merit, and the proceedings are fundamentally flawed in law, unsupported by evidence, and incapable of producing a valid judgment.

We are also delighted that the Court of Appeal further upheld our contention that the plaintiffs lacked the requisite locus standi to institute the action in the first place. In striking out the case for want of jurisdiction, the court of appeal declared that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate any legal interest peculiar to themselves, relying instead on speculative assertions that they had previously contested elections and might do so again in future, which The Court had found insufficient to invoke the jurisdiction.

The appellate court held that the plaintiffs failed to establish their claims by credible evidence. It reaffirmed that INEC, the constitutional regulator of political parties, had placed unchallenged evidence before the court confirming that the ADC satisfied the constitutional and electoral requirements for its continued existence.

The Court equally rejected the reasoning adopted by the trial court concerning elected members of the ADC. It would be recalled that despite affidavit evidence showing that the ADC had returned elected representatives, including three members from Kogi State, the trial court, in giving its now discredited judgment had concluded that those members had defected to another political party, even though no evidence whatsoever of any such defection existed before the court.

The ADC also considers as extraordinary, finding by the Appeal Court that Justice Peter Lifu concocted evidence in resolving the dispute in favour of the Plaintiff. We believe this goes to the very heart of the integrity of the Judiciary and the judicial process. We note that this is the second time in cases involving the ADC that Justice Peter Lifu would be coming under serious indictment by the superior court for wilful disobedience and judicial insubordination impertinence. We therefore wonder whether such a roundly discredited judge should be allowed to sit on the bench even for a day longer.

In asking the court to deregister the ADC and four other political parties, the plaintiffs, which curiously would later include the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, had relied on their weird interpretation of Section 225A of the Constitution which specified the criteria that a political must meet to continue to exist.

In delivering its judgment, the Court of Appeal noted the contradiction in the trial court’s interpretation of Section 225A. According to the appellate court having accepted the proper constitutional interpretation, the trial court nevertheless proceeded to arrive at conclusions inconsistent with both the Constitution and the evidence before it.

The Court of Appeal therefore concluded that the African Democratic Congress satisfies the constitutional threshold for recognition as a political party and remains fully entitled to continue its political activities under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

Appeal Court

We consider this judgment significant, not merely because it restores the rights of the affected political parties but because it reinforces an enduring constitutional principle: that judicial authority must always be exercised within the bounds of the law, in obedience to superior court orders, and on the basis of evidence properly before the court.

The ADC has always maintained its confidence in the judicial process. We are gratified that the Court of Appeal has reaffirmed the rule of law, corrected a grave miscarriage of justice, and protected the constitutional rights of political parties against unlawful interference.

Our focus remains unchanged. We will continue to strengthen our party, deepen democratic participation, and offer Nigerians the credible alternative they deserve.

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
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Ola Olukoyede Reaffirms Commitment To Staff Welfare At EFCC’s Men’s Wellness Seminar

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare, health and overall well-being of the Commission’s staff.
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He gave the reassurance on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the EFCC International Men’s Day Wellness Seminar organised by the Commission’s Staff Welfare Services, SWS.

The seminar, themed: “Promoting Men’s Physical, Mental, and Emotional Well-being for Enhanced Productivity,” brought together male staff members of the Commission as issues of physical and mental wellness were discussed by external resource persons.

In his remarks while declaring the event open, Olukoyede, who was represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Muhammad Hammajoda, restated his commitment to supporting the Commission’s officers’ welfare and well-being through welfare initiatives.

He disclosed that the wellness programme was part of the broader efforts of the Staff Welfare Services department to provide platforms that address issues affecting officers towards improving their productivity.

“The Commission is willing to support each and every one of us, particularly in terms of staff welfare. This is part of the staff welfare programme that is being run by the Department of Staff Welfare Services,” he said.

In his presentation on “Balancing Career, Family Responsibilities, and Personal Well-being,” Jeph Oluwagbemiga, a clinical psychologist and family therapist, noted that men bear heavy burdens arising from pressures from the workplace, family and male-related health issues and encouraged the male officers of the Commission to strive “to strike a healthy balance between their personal well-being, career, and family responsibilities.” While noting that personal well-being was of overriding importance, he stated that achieving a balance was essential for improved productivity, family happiness and good health of men.

Speaking on “Men’s Physical Health and Preventive Care,” Dr. Bukola Williams, a mental health expert and specialist, emphasized on the need for male officers of the Commission to cultivate the habit of periodic medical check-ups, noting that “many men’s health conditions are preventable.” He also encouraged EFCC male officers to adopt a healthy lifestyle routine, including taking regular physical exercises, eating late-night meals and abstinence from alcohol and smoking.

Similarly, Dr. Muhsin Jega, a licensed clinical psychologist, who spoke on the topic: “Breaking the Silence: Encouraging Healthy Conversations and Support-Seeking Behaviour,” encouraged male officers not to always carry on as tough cookies, but rather learn to speak out to family members, friends, co-workers, religious leaders, and confidants on their challenges, stressing that seeking support was vital to maintaining good physical and mental health.

In her address, Acting Director, Staff Welfare Services of the EFCC, Deputy Commander of EFCC, DCE Felicia Bot-Timothy, disclosed that the seminar was organised to address the unique health needs of the Commission’s male officers and promote healthier practices among them.

She regretted that, “Men are less likely to go for check-ups or may often delay seeking medical care. They are more likely to bottle up stress, while they face specific health risks.”

She commended Olukoyede for his commitment to general staff welfare, noting that the EFCC boss encourages regular medical check-ups by all officers, has instituted monthly physical exercises and established a well-equipped in-house gymnasium for staff.

Ola Olukoyede

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede, who takes very seriously the issue of welfare and health of the staff of the Commission. He encourages the staff to take their personal health seriously and encourages medical check-ups. He has introduced compulsory monthly exercises for staff and management of the Commission. He also went ahead to provide an in-house standard gym,” she said.

She noted that prioritising the wellness of the officers of the Commission was essential in building a more productive and healthy workforce that will see to a reduction in incidences of sick leave application.

The seminar came to a close with a question and answer session and the cutting of the EFCC International Men’s Day Wellness cake.
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