The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on media organisations to uphold ethical standards and promote responsible reportage in support of Nigeria’s fight against corruption and financial crimes.
Olukoyede made the call on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in a goodwill message at the “VON Forum 2025,” themed “51 Years of Nigeria’s Role in Deepening Democratic Stability in ECOWAS,” held in Abuja. The event was organised by Voice of Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
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The EFCC chairman expressed concern over what he described as unbalanced media coverage of anti-corruption efforts, citing a recent case in which a politically exposed individual was arrested over the alleged disappearance of about $35 million meant for the establishment of a refinery. He lamented that media reports focused on claims of political persecution rather than the facts of the case.
He stressed that the Commission’s operations are non-partisan and driven strictly by evidence, urging journalists to prioritise accuracy and fairness in their reporting.
“The fight against corruption is not about politics. It is about accountability and national development. The media must play its role responsibly by reinforcing editorial integrity,” he said.
Olukoyede pointed to the building housing Voice of Nigeria as an example of recovered proceeds of crime, noting that such recoveries demonstrate tangible progress in the anti-corruption campaign. He urged Nigerians, particularly media practitioners, to support efforts aimed at strengthening transparency and good governance.
The EFCC boss also highlighted the growing threat of terrorist financing and revealed that he currently chairs the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), an initiative aimed at strengthening regional collaboration against financial crimes.
According to him, the platform, recently adopted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), will facilitate intelligence sharing and joint investigations across West Africa.
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“In the coming months, we will commence operations that will allow us to collaborate more effectively across borders, share intelligence, and tackle financial crimes, including terrorist financing, across the region,” he added.
In his welcome address, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace, commended Olukoyede for participating in the forum. He noted that Nigeria, as a founding member of ECOWAS, has played a pivotal role in promoting peace and democratic stability across the region.
Ndace highlighted Nigeria’s involvement in peacekeeping and diplomatic interventions in countries such as Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, describing the country as a pillar of regional stability and cooperation.