news

Lawmakers Praise EFCC, NFIU for Strengthening Nigeria’s Financial Credibility

Published

9 months ago

February 9, 2026

The House of Representatives commends EFCC and NFIU for their role in recovering stolen assets, boosting Nigeria’s financial system, and aiding the country’s exit from the FATF grey list

The House of Representatives has described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) as pivotal to Nigeria’s financial stability and economic recovery.

Also read: NEITI Strengthens Partnership with EFCC, ICPC for Accountability

The commendation follows the agencies’ sustained recovery of stolen public assets and Nigeria’s recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, seen as a major boost to the country’s financial credibility.

Mr Ginger Onwusibe, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, made the remarks during the 2025 budget performance review and 2026 budget defence at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

He said:

“Permit me to commend the EFCC and NFIU for their tireless efforts, particularly Nigeria’s recent delisting from the FATF grey list. This underscores the government’s commitment to combating financial crimes and strengthening our AML/CFT framework.”

Onwusibe highlighted the agencies’ successes, noting that as of October 2025, the EFCC had recovered over ₦566 billion, $411 million, and 1,502 properties, securing 3,175 convictions nationwide.

He emphasized that the NFIU’s financial intelligence has been critical in supporting investigations and prosecutions.

The lawmaker also stressed that effective operations must be guided by professionalism, transparency, and accountability, especially amid rising public demand for tangible anti-corruption results.

He linked the agencies’ work to Nigeria’s broader economic recovery, noting that the 2026 budget prioritizes infrastructure, food security, job creation, human capital development, and macroeconomic stability.

Onwusibe further disclosed that the House is advancing four critical bills to modernize financial crime laws, including amendments to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the EFCC Act 2004, and the Proceeds of Crime Act.

“These bills are designed to modernize our laws, bridge operational gaps, enhance enforcement, and ensure that crime does not pay,” he said, expressing optimism that the legislation will soon receive presidential assent.

Also read: Court Fixes Date on EFCC Bid to Forfeit $13m Linked to Achimugu

He concluded by assuring that the House would rigorously scrutinize budget submissions from the EFCC and NFIU to ensure optimal use of public funds, strengthen investigative capacity, improve asset recovery, and enhance international cooperation.

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crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

5 minutes ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.