The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, for his leadership and efforts in strengthening Nigeria’s fight against economic and financial crimes.
The President of the NBA, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, gave the commendation on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when she led a delegation of the association on a courtesy visit to the EFCC Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
Badejo-Okusanya praised the Commission’s efforts in investigating and prosecuting economic and financial crimes, as well as recovering proceeds of crime.
She said the NBA had closely followed the EFCC’s activities, particularly its reported recoveries and convictions, noting that the impact of the Commission’s work could be seen and felt.
“When we see things that are done and done properly, we appreciate them. We followed carefully what is being done at EFCC, especially the statistics in recoveries and convictions. We can see, feel, and hear the impact of his works,” she said.
The NBA president also commended the EFCC and other stakeholders for Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
According to her, the development had contributed to improving Nigeria’s business environment by boosting confidence in the country’s financial system and facilitating cross-border transactions.
“For us as lawyers, we are grateful for the removal of the country from the FATF grey list. This brings out increased inflows. Our clients are able to do business. Cross-border transactions are now seamless and less expensive,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya expressed hope that the progress would be sustained, adding that the NBA remained committed to partnering with the EFCC to promote a lawful and orderly society.
She stressed the importance of the rule of law to economic development, saying a strong legal system was essential to improving economic activities and the quality of life.
The NBA president called for closer collaboration between the association and the EFCC, particularly in knowledge sharing and the provision of professional expertise.
She pledged the association’s support and services to the Commission, saying both institutions could work together to strengthen the rule of law and combat economic and financial crimes.
Responding, Olukoyede said Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list was achieved through the collective efforts of the EFCC and other relevant government agencies.
He appreciated the NBA for its support, saying the cooperation of stakeholders was critical to achieving the development.
“Most of the works that led to Nigeria’s removal from the list were done by EFCC and in collaboration with all our sister agencies. Nigeria is now on a better footing in the world financial ecosystem,” Olukoyede said.
He added that the Commission appreciated the NBA’s support, noting that achieving the outcome would have been difficult without the cooperation of relevant stakeholders.
The EFCC chairman also reaffirmed that the Commission conducts its investigations within the confines of the law and remains accountable to the Nigerian public.
“One promise I made to Nigerians is to use the instrumentality of this law to stipulate the economy and pledge to work within the confines of law. We are responsible to the public,” he said.
Olukoyede further highlighted the Commission’s emphasis on preventive measures in the fight against corruption, saying the EFCC would no longer wait until public funds were stolen before taking action.
He disclosed that the Commission had established the Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) Department as part of efforts to strengthen preventive frameworks.
“We are committed to this and this is why a whole Department, Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, FRAC, was established,” he said.
Olukoyede also pledged to deepen cooperation with the NBA, particularly on efforts to strengthen professional standards within the legal profession and enhance collaboration between the two institutions.
The meeting ended with both organisations reaffirming the importance of institutional cooperation, legal compliance and preventive measures in tackling economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.
