EFCC Opens Awka Regional Office, To Cover Anambra And Imo

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, were among dignitaries at the commissioning of the commission’s new Zonal Directorate in Awka on Friday.

The new facility, located at Udoka Housing Estate, Awka, will serve as the EFCC’s operational base for Anambra and Imo states, expanding the commission’s presence and bringing its activities closer to economic centres in the two states.

Speaking at the event, Olukoyede said the Awka office was not established merely to expand the commission’s geographical reach, but also to strengthen collaboration with state governments and help identify vulnerabilities that could expose public resources and legitimate businesses to financial crimes.

He said the commission would work with the state governments on areas vulnerable to fraud, including revenue systems and other public financial processes, while continuing its enforcement responsibilities.

Governor Soludo welcomed the development and called for stronger anti-graft structures at the grassroots, arguing that the fight against economic and financial crimes should extend as close as possible to communities.

He said Anambra would cooperate with the EFCC, stressing that combating financial crimes is a collective responsibility and that economic development cannot thrive where such crimes are pervasive.

Governor Uzodimma also pledged Imo State’s cooperation with the commission, while Speaker Abbas, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the ceremony, urged both states to protect the new facility and support its operations.

The commissioning marks another step in the EFCC’s ongoing expansion of its operational footprint, with the commission also establishing new directorates in other parts of the country.