The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has intensified the call for the establishment of special courts dedicated to the prosecution of anti-corruption cases.
Speaking at a high-level Reward and Recognition ceremony in Abuja, Olukoyede argued that the sheer volume of recoveries and the complexity of high-profile cases—including those involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, and former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika—demand a fast-tracked judicial process to prevent justice from being “strangled by technicalities and delays.”
Success Amidst Judicial Bottlenecks
The Chairman revealed that the commission’s 2025 performance has been unprecedented. In the last year alone, the EFCC has secured thousands of convictions and recovered assets running into billions of Naira, millions of US Dollars, and hundreds of thousands of Pounds Sterling and Euros.
Despite these gains, Olukoyede expressed concern that many “heavyweight” cases are currently languishing in the regular court system.
“The success we recorded in 2025 in terms of recoveries and convictions is a testament to the hard work of our personnel,” Olukoyede stated. “However, for the Nigerian public to truly feel the impact of the anti-corruption war, we must move past the era of endless litigation. Special courts are no longer a luxury; they are a necessity to ensure that those who have looted the commonwealth, including high-profile suspects currently under investigation or trial, face the music without unnecessary delay.”
Focusing on the ‘Big Fish
The EFCC’s push for special courts comes at a time when the commission is embroiled in high-stakes legal battles with several former top government officials.
Yahaya Bello: The former Kogi State Governor’s case has become a symbol of the struggle between the EFCC and powerful political figures, marked by numerous legal maneuvers regarding service of court processes.
Hadi Sirika: The former Aviation Minister is facing allegations regarding the controversial “Nigeria Air” project and alleged contract inflation.
Abubakar Malami: The former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation is also reportedly under the commission’s radar over his roles in various high-value settlements and asset recoveries during his tenure.
Olukoyede noted that while the commission is committed to following the rule of law, the current judicial pace often allows suspects to exploit “procedural loopholes” to stall trials for years.
Motivating the Rank and File
The call for judicial reform was the centerpiece of an event aimed at rewarding outstanding EFCC personnel. The Reward and Recognition programme was designed to appreciate officers who demonstrated exceptional integrity and bravery in the field.
“We are encouraging our staff to upscale the fight,” the Chairman said. “By recognizing those who have stayed true to the mission, we are building an agency that is not only the nation’s foremost anti-corruption body but also one that operates with the highest global standards of integrity.”
A Vision for 2026
As the EFCC enters the new operational year, the leadership remains optimistic that the National Assembly and the Judiciary will support the move for specialized anti-corruption divisions.
“Our records are clear,” a spokesperson for the commission added. “With billions recovered and thousands of convictions, we have done our part in the investigative and enforcement stage. We now need a judicial framework that matches our speed and determination to rid Nigeria of economic sabotage.”
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the momentum of 2025, vowing to ensure that no individual, regardless of their former office or status, remains “untouchable” in the face of overwhelming evidence.
