Godsent Ogbebor – Abuja Correspondent
Tinubu Says EFCC Recovered ₦500bn, Secured 7,000 Convictions in Two Years
President Bola Tinubu has lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what he described as a strong performance in the fight against corruption, revealing that the Commission secured over 7,000 convictions and recovered assets worth more than ₦500 billion within the last two years.
Tinubu, who spoke through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the opening of the 7th EFCC-NJI Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges on Monday in Abuja, said the administration remains committed to strengthening anti-graft institutions to achieve visible and lasting results.
According to a statement by EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the President noted that the recovered funds had been channelled into critical national programmes such as the Students Loan and Consumer Credit schemes to improve citizens’ welfare.
“The EFCC has recorded over 7,000 convictions in the first two years of this administration and recovered assets exceeding ₦500 billion,” he said. “Proceeds of these recoveries have been reinvested in social intervention programmes that benefit the people.”
Tinubu emphasised that the success of the anti-corruption war depends on synergy among the executive, legislature, and judiciary. He urged judges to continue playing their crucial role in upholding justice and public trust, describing the judiciary as a “pillar” in the campaign for transparency.
“A Nigeria free of corruption is possible if everyone commits to integrity in their various spheres of influence,” the President said. “We must all lead by example; judges, lawmakers, and the executive alike must show that transparency begins with leadership.”
He warned that corruption threatens national development, weakens governance, and contributes to insecurity. “There are no special roads or hospitals for judges or politicians. The harm of corruption affects us all. That is why we must unite to defeat it,” he added.
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Meanwhile, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, raised concerns about the slow pace of high-profile corruption trials in Nigerian courts, which he said continues to undermine public confidence in the justice system.
Olukoyede lamented that despite the Commission’s progress, several cases involving politically exposed persons have dragged on for over a decade due to procedural tactics and legal loopholes.
“Some of these cases, filed 15 or even 20 years ago, appear stuck in endless circles,” he said. “We’ve seen situations where once-fit defendants suddenly develop serious health issues to delay proceedings. These tactics frustrate justice and erode public trust.”
He warned that the growing “weaponisation of procedure” and overreliance on technicalities were damaging the judiciary’s credibility. According to him, delayed cases lead to witness fatigue, loss of evidence, and public disillusionment.
Olukoyede also criticised certain state high court judges for issuing orders outside their jurisdiction to hinder EFCC investigations, describing such rulings as “worrisome” and “counterproductive.”
“There have been instances where courts of coordinate jurisdiction deliver conflicting judgments in similar corruption cases,” he said. “This inconsistency hampers our work and fuels suspicion that the system is unwilling to confront corruption head-on.”
The EFCC boss appealed to judges to show greater restraint in granting ex parte orders and urged senior lawyers to avoid filing frivolous applications that stall trials.
“Our judiciary is blessed with competent and courageous judges, but a few decisions have raised serious concerns,” he said. “We must not allow corruption to be the only victor in this process.”