Tinubu Inaugurates EFCC Zonal Directorate In Anambra, Soludo Urges Collective Fight Against Corruption
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated a Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Awka, the capital of Anambra
Tinubu was represented by Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the event which was held on Friday.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to provide the necessary environment for anti-corruption agencies to thrive.
Speaking at the event, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra said the fight against corruption and financial crimes was a collective responsibility.
Soludo commended the EFCC for decentralisiing its functions to the grassroots saying Anambra people were excited to host this EFCC office in Awka.
He said the duty of fighting crime was for everybody, and that EFCC was pivotal for national development noting that a society with pervasive economic and financial crimes could not progress.
He dismissed the rumour that he was at any time arrested by EFCC but rather explained that he was given a one month invitation notice during the investigation of the Minting Company.
“I honoured the invitation and followed through with the investigation until it was eventually concluded.
“People deserve to know the end of every investigation, and we will help you produce results for our people,” he said.
Also speaking, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for expanding financial room for subnationals. He praised the decentralization of EFCC operations and noted that the agency’s modern operational approach now reflects a commendable human face.
Igwe Chidubem Iweka, Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, advocated for long-term preventive measures, including integrating anti-corruption courses into primary school curricula and administering traditional oaths of office for public officials.
In his address, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede, said that the creation of the Awka Directorate with recent ones in m Ekiti and Katsina states aimed to broaden institutional presence, expand access to justice, and protect legitimate economic activities.
He stated that EFCC is expanding focus toward prevention by, among other things, monitoring Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) releases to safeguard public funds before theft occurs, calling on communities to make whistleblowing a norm and maintain a conscious watch over financial transactions.
Reassuring citizens that EFCC officers are deployed strictly to enforce the law within its legal limits, not to oppress the public.
The EFCC boss said that the new Awka Zonal Directorate is expected to significantly boost intelligence gathering, accelerate financial crime prosecutions, safeguard public revenues, and strengthen investor confidence across Anambra and Imo States and the wider South-East region.
