Combating Corruption: EFCC, CSOs, Media Unite for Transparency, Accountability

By Abdullahi Alhassan

 Kaduna state Nigeria- December 11,2025(Series News Online)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kaduna Zonal Directorate has organized a one-day sensitization workshop for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and journalists in Kaduna.

The workshop, aimed at deepening collaboration between the EFCC and stakeholders, was officially opened by the Acting Zonal Director, Ace I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, who emphasized the critical role of CSOs and journalists in the fight against corruption.

Kaltungo noted that the partnership between the EFCC and stakeholders has yielded significant results, with many landmark investigations and public sensitization campaigns benefiting from intelligence and information provided by the media and CSOs.

He urged participants to view the workshop as a platform for open dialogue, asking questions, seeking clarifications, and sharing perspectives, with the aim of building a stronger, more collaborative relationship between the EFCC and stakeholders.

The EFCC has been working to combat corruption and economic crimes in Nigeria, and this workshop is part of its efforts to engage with stakeholders and promote transparency and accountability. 

In her overview objective of the workshop, the Head of Public Affairs Unit, Zainab Sani Ahmed, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the EFCC and stakeholders in the fight against corruption.

Ahmed stated that the workshop aims to provide a clearer understanding of the legal and practical realities of prosecuting financial crimes, demystify emerging threats such as cryptocurrency fraud, and highlight the preventative role of CSOs and the media in building a corruption-resistant society.

The workshop features three seasoned resource persons and is structured to be interactive, encouraging active participation from attendees.

The EFCC recognizes the crucial role of CSOs and the media in promoting accountability and serving as vital links to communities, and this workshop is designed to strengthen their capacity to play their respective roles in the national endeavor against corruption.

In his paper presentation with the title Prosecuting Financial Crimes: issues, challenges and the way forward Head of Legal and prosecution Department Kaduna Zonal Directorate. Nasiru Salele, has identified several challenges facing the prosecution of economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.  Salele, highlighted external and institutional obstacles to effective prosecution.

According to Salele, external challenges include unwarranted restraining orders, lack of specialized skills, evidential and legal hurdles, and technological evolution of crime. He also cited institutional challenges such as logistics, capacity building, personnel, and working tools.

Salele emphasized the need for leveraging technology, intelligence gathering, and digital forensics to enhance investigation and prosecution capabilities. He also called for reforms in trial procedures, encouraging corporate self-reporting and cooperation, and strengthening international cooperation to combat economic and financial crimes.

The EFCC official stressed that the future of prosecuting economic and financial crimes depends on the ability of the justice system to adapt to the digital age. He advocated for a three-pronged approach: adopting advanced technologies, reforming legal and policy frameworks, and strengthening international cooperation.

Salele concluded that only through a commitment to technological advancement, legal modernization, and global collaboration can Nigeria effectively counter the corrosive effects of economic and financial crimes and uphold the rule of law.