Soludo: Fighting financial crime is everyone’s business

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has called for collective action against corruption and financial crimes, saying no society can achieve sustainable development under the weight of economic crimes.

Soludo made the call while speaking as keynote speaker at the commissioning of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Awka Zonal Directorate at Udoka Estate, Awka.

The facility was commissioned on behalf of President Bola Tinubu by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

The governor welcomed the decentralisation of EFCC operations to the grassroots, describing the commission’s role as pivotal to national development.

He recalled that he once honoured an EFCC invitation during an investigation involving the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc and followed the process until its conclusion.

“We are excited to host this EFCC office in Awka. You are beginning to drill down the function of fighting crimes to the grassroots. Fighting crime is everybody’s business, and the work of the EFCC is pivotal for our national development,” Soludo said.

He urged the commission to ensure that the public is informed about the outcome of investigations, while pledging the state government’s cooperation.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the new directorate would strengthen intelligence gathering, accelerate prosecution, protect public revenue and improve investor confidence across Anambra, Imo and the wider South-East.

Olukoyede said the commission was shifting greater attention to prevention, including monitoring Federation Account Allocation Committee releases to protect public funds before they are diverted.

He urged citizens to make whistleblowing and vigilance over financial transactions a shared responsibility.

The EFCC chairman assured residents that its officers would operate within the law and not oppress citizens, adding that the Awka facility, together with recent expansions in Ekiti and Katsina, would improve access to justice and protect legitimate economic activities.

Imo Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, commended President Tinubu for strengthening the financial capacity of subnational governments and described the EFCC’s decentralisation as a positive development.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Financial Crimes, Sen. Emmanuel Udende, and his House counterpart, Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, pledged continued legislative support for the commission.

Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, called for preventive anti-corruption education from primary school level and the use of traditional oaths of office for public officials.

The new Awka Zonal Directorate will serve Anambra and Imo states, with EFCC officials saying its establishment is expected to strengthen the commission’s presence and operations across the South-East.