Reported by: Agande Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have renewed their commitment to work more closely in the fight against corruption and injustice in Nigeria.
The renewed partnership was reaffirmed during a courtesy visit on Friday, November 14, 2025, when the Vice Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch, James Sonde, led a delegation to the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, where they met with the acting Zonal Director, ACE 1 Ahmed Ghali.
Sonde praised the EFCC for its “sustained efforts to rid the country of corruption and economic and financial crimes,” noting that collaboration was essential in driving reforms that benefit Nigerians.
He emphasized the need for a joint capacity-building programme between the two bodies, one that would help foster what he described as a “compliant society.” According to him, the Lagos branch of the NBA — the largest in Nigeria — is eager to deepen its engagement with the EFCC to better understand how the Commission executes its mandate.
“We are not here to hinder your investigations or arrests; rather, we want to understand better how you carry out your mandate,” Sonde said, adding that the Association is also interested in how suspects’ rights are protected. “We would also like to know how you treat the rights of suspects in your custody as well.”
He further called for collaboration in legal advisory services, pro bono support, case reviews, referral frameworks, and handling of human rights violation complaints, stressing that such cooperation would “make the society better for us all and enable a better working policy, where things work perfectly.”
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Zonal Director, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, DCE Deborah Ademu-Eteh, expressed appreciation for the visit and the NBA’s consistent interest in the Commission’s work.
She highlighted the EFCC’s focus on corruption prevention through public engagement, saying: “We also want to see how corruption is prevented; hence, we have ensured that one of our strategic objectives is increased public engagement in the fight against economic and financial crimes.”
She added that the Commission conducts regular enlightenment programmes targeting students, universities, NYSC members, and religious groups.
Also speaking during the meeting, the EFCC’s Zonal Head of Capital Market and Insurance Fraud, ACE II Adaran Olapade Cosmas, addressed concerns about the treatment of suspects, insisting that the Commission operates strictly by the rule of law.
“We usually carry out diligent investigations before making any arrest and we ensure that an administrative bail is granted to any suspect arrested,” he said. He clarified that when a suspect must be kept in custody, the EFCC obtains a court order to do so.
“So, the rights of our suspects are respected, and we treat them with dignity,” he added.
The meeting ended with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation as part of a broader strategy to improve justice delivery and enhance Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
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