The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, for what she described as the impact of the Commission’s investigation, prosecution and asset-recovery efforts, while calling for deeper collaboration between the NBA and the anti-graft agency.
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Badejo-Okusanya spoke on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when she led a delegation of the NBA on a courtesy visit to the EFCC’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
The NBA President said the Association had closely followed the Commission’s activities, particularly its record of recoveries and convictions, and believed the results were visible.
“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.
She also commended the EFCC and other relevant institutions for their roles in Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, saying the development had implications for businesses, investors and 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. We are grateful to the Commission and we hope for more of such positive impact. We believe the efforts of the Commission will not regress,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya said strengthening the rule of law and maintaining an orderly society were central to economic development and improved quality of life.
According to her, lawyers and law-enforcement institutions have complementary roles in tackling criminal activity and sustaining confidence in the legal system.
“We are all part of the elimination of criminal activities and towards gaining a lawful and orderly society,” she said.
The NBA President consequently called for stronger institutional cooperation between the Association and the EFCC, particularly in knowledge sharing and the provision of professional expertise.
She pledged the NBA’s professional support to the Commission, saying closer engagement between lawyers and the EFCC could strengthen the rule of law while improving the fight against economic and financial crimes.
Responding, Olukoyede said Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list was the result of collaboration involving the EFCC and other government agencies, while acknowledging the support of the NBA.
“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. We appreciate the support of the NBA because without your support, it would have been very difficult for us to achieve such a feat,” he said.
The EFCC Chairman also assured the NBA delegation that the Commission would continue to conduct its investigations within the boundaries of the law and remain accountable to the public.
“One promise I made to Nigerians is to use the instrumentality of this law to stimulate the economy and pledge to work within the confines of law. We are responsible to the public,” Olukoyede said.
He further explained that the Commission was placing greater emphasis on preventing fraud and corruption rather than waiting until public funds had been stolen before intervening.
According to him, the preventive approach informed the establishment of the EFCC’s Fraud Risk Assessment and Control Department.
“We are committed to this and this is why a whole Department, Fraud Risk Assessment and Control, FRAC, was established,” he said.
Olukoyede said the Commission intends to identify fraud vulnerabilities and corruption risks early enough to prevent losses, alongside its traditional investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities.
The EFCC Chairman also pledged closer cooperation with the NBA, including efforts aimed at strengthening professional standards within the legal profession and improving collaboration between lawyers and anti-corruption agencies.
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