Senate Urges EFCC to Publish Record of Genuine Convictions, Commends Anti-Graft Achievements

By Iyojo Ameh

The Senate has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publish details of its genuine convictions as well as petitions that are frivolous or politically motivated, as part of efforts to strengthen its achievements in the fight against corruption across the country.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, made the call during plenary while ruling on a motion on the need to commend the EFCC for its remarkable performance in recent times, particularly in 2024, despite challenges faced by the agency.

Leading the motion, Senator Emmanuel Udende, representing Benue Northeast, revealed that in 2024 alone, the EFCC received over fifteen thousand petitions, investigated thirteen thousand cases, and secured more than four thousand convictions — the highest number recorded in any operational year to date.

He noted that through these convictions, the commission successfully recovered substantial sums of money in various currencies and retrieved several stolen assets.

Seconding the motion, Senator Nwaebonyi Onyeka, representing Ebonyi East, commended what he described as the EFCC’s unprecedented efforts in recovering the nation’s looted wealth.

Senator Onyeka emphasized the need for relevant committees of the National Assembly to provide effective oversight and legislative backing to further strengthen the commission’s operations.

In his ruling, Senate President Godswill Akpabio attributed the EFCC’s recent successes to the right choice of leadership made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He also commended the integrity and professionalism exhibited by the commission’s staff and pledged the continued legislative support of the Senate to all anti-corruption agencies in the country.