The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has charged the media and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) across the country to be more committed to amplifying the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
Olukoyede gave the charge in Lagos on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at a one-day capacity building for Journalists and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs, organised by the Commission.
He said the initiative was a reflection of the EFCC’s belief that journalists and civil society groups are strategic allies in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.
The EFCC’s Chairman, who was represented by the Acting Directors of the Lagos Zonal Directorates, ACE 1 Adebayo Adeniyi and ACE 1 Ahmed Ghali, also stated that the media and CSOs possess the capacity to inform, educate, and mobilise public opinion in curbing corruption and economic and financial crimes.
While emphasising that many citizens fall victim to fraud due to a lack of information, he said: “Your ability to inform, educate, and mobilise public opinion is a critical asset in the fight against corruption, fraud, and other economic crimes.
“The media and CSOs must, therefore, remain at the forefront of promoting a culture of integrity and accountability.
“The media must continue to hold public institutions accountable, while the civil society organisations must deepen civic engagements and promote transparency at all levels.”
The anti-graft czar, who lauded the media and civil society group for their continued support of the EFCC’s mandate, also acknowledged the growing complexity of the anti-corruption mandate and the challenges faced by journalists in interpreting and reporting emerging financial crime trends.
The interactive session also featured paper presentations by Deputy Commander of the EFCC, DCE Aso Larrys Peters, Head, Legal and Prosecution Department, Lagos Zonal Directorate 1; DCE Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity and Spokesperson of the Commission and Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Alex Ogbole.
In his paper titled “ Prosecuting Financial Crimes: Issues, Challenges and The Way Forward, Peters hammered on the rigours of prosecuting economic and financial crimes and the way forward.
Oyewale spoke on “The Role of CSOs and Media in Driving a Preventive Framework in the Fight against Corruption” and tasked the participants to use their platforms to expose fraudulent and corrupt practices in all sectors of society. He also charged them to be more involved in conscientizing the grassroots about the dangers of engaging in economic and financial crimes.
Also, CSE Alex Ogbole, Head, Digital Forensics, Lagos, in his presentation titled “Understanding Cryptocurrency Fraud and Other Emerging Financial Crimes”, enlightened the participants on the emerging typology of cybercrimes, while advising them on how to avoid falling victim. He distinguished between cryptocurrency as a legitimate business and as a fraudulent engagement.
Also speaking, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE 11 Aisha Mohammed, Head of Enlightenment and Re-orientation, urged the CSOs to identify with the diverse enlightenment initiatives of the Commission, particularly the Integrity Club, Zero Tolerance Club, National Youth Service Corps/ Community Development groups, to drive home the anti-corruption messages of the EFCC.
The workshop afforded the resource persons, who are officers of the EFCC, and the participants to engage in robust discussions, and fresh ideas were canvassed on how to move the anti-corruption crusade forward.
At the end of the presentations, the participants expressed satisfaction with the engagement, adding that they were now better informed on their duties regarding the ongoing fight against corruption and economic and financial crimes in the country.
