Track State Revenues, Prevent Fund Diversion, Adeyanju Tells EFCC

Lawyer and public affairs commentator, Deji Adeyanju, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to intensify its monitoring of state government revenues and ensure that public funds are properly utilised.

Adeyanju made the call while reacting to the recent performance figures released by the anti-graft agency, which highlighted its recoveries, prosecutions and convictions in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had disclosed that the commission recovered more than N1.23tn, $684.48m, £373,905.78 and €9.34m between October 2023 and June 2026.

He also revealed that N661.32bn and $492.37m recovered by the commission had been released to beneficiaries during the period under review.

According to Olukoyede, the EFCC secured 10,872 convictions from 14,476 cases filed within the same period.

Reacting in a statement on Monday, Adeyanju commended the EFCC for the achievements recorded under Olukoyede’s leadership, describing the figures as evidence that sustained efforts could yield meaningful results in the fight against corruption.

He urged the commission to maintain the momentum and expand its focus beyond recovering funds that had already been stolen.

Adeyanju argued that the anti-corruption campaign should also concentrate on preventing the diversion of public resources in the future.

He noted that state governments had experienced significant increases in revenue and fiscal inflows following the removal of the petrol subsidy, stressing that Nigerians deserved greater transparency over how the additional funds were being spent.

According to him, the EFCC should, within its statutory responsibilities, investigate credible allegations involving the diversion or misuse of public funds and trace government revenue from the point of allocation through to actual expenditure.

Adeyanju said the fight against corruption could not be won through financial recoveries alone, adding that preventing the misuse of public resources was equally important.

He said, “The recent disclosure by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede, on the achievements of the Commission deserves commendation. The figures speak for themselves.

“These figures demonstrate that sustained efforts can produce tangible results in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

The EFCC should therefore be encouraged to sustain this momentum and do even more.”

Adeyanju further stated that the focus of the anti-corruption campaign should shift from recovering “yesterday’s stolen funds” to safeguarding public resources that would be available in the future.

He maintained that increased government revenues must translate into improved services and development for citizens rather than becoming an avenue for financial diversion.

He added, “Following the removal of the petrol subsidy, state governments have received significantly increased revenues and fiscal inflows.

Nigerians have a legitimate right to know how these additional resources are being applied.
“The EFCC should, within its statutory mandate, pay closer attention to credible allegations concerning the diversion or misuse of these funds and follow the money from allocation to expenditure.”

He concluded that although the EFCC had made significant progress, sustained efforts would be required to strengthen accountability and ensure that public resources are protected from misuse.

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