First Bank of Nigeria has lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its professionalism, citing the successful recovery of over N1 billion as a testament to the Commission’s impact on sanitising the financial sector.
Mr Aluko Joseph, First Bank’s Head of Fraud and External Relations, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Describing the EFCC as one of the nation’s most “revered institutions,” Aluko expressed deep gratitude for the Commission’s consistent interventions in recovering bank funds.
During the visit, Aluko emphasised that the battle against evolving financial threats requires more than just casual cooperation. He called for a robust institutional framework that prioritises joint capacity building, collaborative training, and knowledge sharing to stay ahead of emerging security threats. He also stressed the importance of streamlining the process of detecting and prosecuting financial crimes while developing shared expertise to stop fraud before it enters the system.
“By working together, both organisations aim to make significant strides in combating threats to financial institutions,” Aluko stated, noting that a sustainable partnership is essential for long-term efficiency and national development.
The impact of the EFCC’s work was underscored by Martins Akinsimisi, First Bank’s Group Head for Edo State. Akinsimisi specifically pointed to a landmark recovery in January 2026, where the Benin Zonal Directorate handed over more than N1 billion to the bank. The funds were recovered from an individual identified as Ojo Eghosa Kingsley.
Responding to the delegation, the Acting Zonal Director, Deputy Commander of the EFCC (DCE) Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, assured the bank that the Commission would not “rest on its oars.”
Sa’ad maintained that the agency remains guided by its core values of integrity and courage. He stressed that the EFCC is committed to tackling economic crimes “without fear or favour” until the menace is totally eradicated from society.
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