Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Makurdi Branch, have agreed to deepen their existing collaboration in the fight against corruption, reinforcing a partnership that legal and anti-graft authorities say is essential for strengthening the administration of criminal justice and promoting accountability across the country. The agreement was reached on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the executive of the NBA Makurdi Branch, led by its Chairman, Barrister Joseph Gbagyo, to the Makurdi Zonal Director of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Effa Imoh Okim, at the Commission's zonal office in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
Speaking during the visit, Barrister Gbagyo commended the existing cooperation between the EFCC and legal practitioners in Benue State, describing the engagement as a reflection of the shared commitment to promoting the rule of law, strengthening the criminal justice system, combating financial crimes, and advancing accountability and transparency. He noted that the legal profession has a critical role to play in supporting the anti-graft agency's mandate, particularly in ensuring that prosecutors and defence counsel work within the framework of due process to secure convictions without compromising the rights of defendants. The NBA chairman also expressed the readiness of lawyers in the state to provide technical and advisory support to the EFCC in complex financial crime cases, which often require specialised legal expertise.
Responding, the EFCC Zonal Director, ACE I Effa Imoh Okim, welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to fostering a robust working relationship with the legal community. Okim, a Certified Fraud Examiner and seasoned anti-corruption investigator who assumed duties as Acting Zonal Director of the Makurdi Directorate on October 30, 2025, has handled several high-profile cases and served in various strategic positions within the Commission, including Team Lead for Advance Fee Fraud, Head of Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management, and Head of Improved Service Delivery (SERVICOM). He stressed that the fight against economic and financial crimes cannot be won by the EFCC alone, and that the support of the Bar is indispensable in ensuring that cases are diligently prosecuted and that justice is served.
The meeting comes at a time when the EFCC's Makurdi Zonal Directorate has intensified its operations in Benue State and the surrounding region. In recent months, the Commission has arrested suspected internet fraudsters, secured convictions in high-profile cases, and engaged in extensive public enlightenment campaigns to discourage financial crimes. The Makurdi Directorate has also sought to strengthen ties with other stakeholders, including the media and traditional institutions, as part of a broader strategy to combat corruption through multi-sectoral collaboration. The visit by the NBA Makurdi Branch is therefore seen as a timely reinforcement of the anti-corruption architecture in the state.
The agreement to deepen cooperation builds on earlier commitments made at the national level. In February 2026, the NBA Lagos Branch had called for enhanced collaboration with the EFCC to address corruption and unethical practices among legal practitioners and security agents. Similarly, in November 2025, the NBA and EFCC had pledged to strengthen collaboration nationwide, with a particular focus on advocacy and sensitisation efforts. The Makurdi engagement thus aligns with a growing recognition that the legal profession and anti-corruption agencies must work hand-in-hand to uphold the integrity of Nigeria's judicial and financial systems.
Both parties agreed to sustain the dialogue and explore areas of mutual cooperation, including joint training programmes for lawyers and EFCC investigators on emerging trends in financial crimes, mutual legal assistance, and the ethical prosecution of corruption cases. The NBA Makurdi Branch also pledged to encourage its members to support the EFCC's mandate by providing legal services that uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
The visit concluded with an exchange of courtesies and a commitment to regular consultations between the EFCC Makurdi Directorate and the NBA Branch to ensure that the partnership delivers tangible results in the fight against graft. As Okim noted in his remarks, the success of the anti-corruption campaign depends not only on the enforcement of laws but also on the active participation of all stakeholders, including the Bar, in promoting a culture of accountability and transparency.
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