“No Hiding Place for Fraudsters”: EFCC Chairman Vows Tough Times as New Ekiti Office Opens.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has sent a clear warning to criminals and fraudsters in Ekiti and Ondo States: tough times are here. He assured law abiding residents, however, that they have nothing to fear from the Commission’s increased presence.

Olukoyede made these remarks on June 9, 2026, during the commissioning of the new EFCC Zonal Directorate office in Ado Ekiti. President Bola Tinubu was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The EFCC boss explained that before now, covering Ekiti and Ondo from distant zonal offices made enforcement weak and left gaps for criminals to exploit. But with the new office, the Commission is now closer to the people.

Olukoyede also promised that every kobo recovered from corrupt individuals would be properly managed and not stolen. He pointed to recent major convictions, including a former NEXIM Bank MD sentenced to 490 years and ex-Power Minister Saleh Mamman who got 75 years for a ₦22 billion fraud.

He added that recovered assets are already being used for public good, such as the Student Loans Scheme and the creation of Nok University in Kaduna State.

President Tinubu, through the VP, praised the EFCC for its role in fighting cybercrime, removing Nigeria from a global financial watchlist, and recovering billions. He noted that over 192 foreigners were recently convicted in Lagos for cryptocurrency fraud.

Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji said his state has zero tolerance for corruption, and the new EFCC office will scare away fraudsters. The traditional ruler, Oba Adejimi Adu, urged citizens to speak up if they see suspicious activity, adding that Nigeria needs to rethink how people can steal such huge public funds without being stopped earlier.