By Joy Joseph
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) , on Tuesday called on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to urgently address operational inconsistencies and clarify zonal jurisdictional boundaries following recent controversial activities by the Commission in Ogun State.
In a statement signed by Comrade Adejuwon Olatunji, Assistant Secretary General of NANS National, the students’ body expressed alarm over what it described as “confusing and overlapping operations” by two EFCC zonal commands in Ogun State.
According to the statement, while the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC conducted a raid on the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, the Ibadan Zonal Command simultaneously carried out an operation in Itori, another town in the state.
“This overlapping jurisdiction creates confusion, weakens operational efficiency, and raises the risk of abuse of process. It is imperative that the EFCC leadership publicly and unambiguously clarify whether Ogun State falls under the Lagos Zone or the Ibadan Zone,” the statement read.
NANS warned that failure to establish clear operational structures could damage the Commission’s credibility and hinder accountability.
The student body also criticized the EFCC for ignoring the Chairman’s own public directive banning night sting operations, which was issued on November 2, 2023. Despite the ban, recent EFCC raids—including the controversial OOPL operation—reportedly occurred at night.
“This not only undermines public confidence in the EFCC’s internal discipline but also raises questions about whether directives from the leadership are being respected by operatives in the field,” NANS stated.
Particularly troubling, according to NANS, were viral videos from the OOPL raid in which EFCC operatives were seen shouting at and physically assaulting women.“Such conduct is in clear violation of international best practices for law enforcement and contradicts the EFCC’s stated commitment to professionalism,” the statement said.
The group demanded a full investigation into the conduct of the operatives involved and called for mandatory human rights and civility training for all EFCC personnel.
NANS further took issue with what it called the EFCC’s “selective approach” to anti-corruption enforcement. While the Chairman has pledged to bring political heavyweights to justice, many of these figures remain untouched, the students alleged.“This fuels the perception that the EFCC applies its powers unevenly—coming down heavily on ordinary citizens while shielding the powerful.”
The student body called on the Chairman to clearly define and communicate the jurisdictional boundaries of zonal commands, ensure strict adherence to all directives, including the ban on night raids, address cases of unprofessional conduct and abuse during operations,and demonstrate fairness and impartiality in the prosecution of corruption cases—regardless of social or political status.
“The EFCC is a critical institution in the fight against corruption, but its credibility rests on transparency, professionalism, and respect for both the law and the citizens it serves,” the statement concluded.
NANS warned that inaction could further erode public trust in the EFCC and diminish the legitimacy of its anti-corruption mission.
