When Was EFCC Established and What Are The Functions Of The Organization?

EFCC, which stands for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, is an agency in the Federal Government of Nigeria established in 2003, whose primary role is to combat financial crime. It was created as a response to growing concerns of massive financial losses and corruption in the country.

The organization falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President, which means it reports directly to the President of Nigeria. This system also brought about a total misconception of the function of the EFCC, raising the view that the commission is an instrument of the federal government to probe political opponents.

History of EFCC in Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was established in 2002 in response to Nigeria’s ranking as one of the 23 countries in the world that were not cooperating with the international community in combating money laundering. The commission was created to investigate financial crimes like advanced fee fraud, popularly known as 419, and money laundering.

The Financial Action Task Force blamed the Nigerian government for being complacent and also exposed the money laundering activities of many political leaders and prominent citizens of the country. The federal government under the leadership of the former president Olusegun Obasanjo moved into a responsive action by approving the establishment of the commission. The commission has its head office situated in the federal capital territory and branches all over the states in Nigeria.

EFCC exists under the following establishments:

EFCC Establishment Act 2004
Money laundering (prohibition) act 2004
Money Laundry Act 1995
Failed Banks (debt recovery) and Other Financial Malpractices in Banks Act 1994
Advance fee fraud and other fraud-related offences act 1995
Banks and Other Financial institution Act 1991 and Other Offences Act

Governing Members Of The EFCC Commission

The EFCC comprises the following governing members:

A Chairman
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria or a representative from CBN
One person to represent the following federal ministries:
- Finance Department
- Foreign Affairs
- Justice
Chairman National Drug Law Enforcement Agency or a representative from the agency
Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency
Director-General of Department of State Security Sevice or a representative from the department
Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission or a representative
Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation or a representative
Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, or a representative
Commissioner for Insurance or a representative
Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission or a representative
Postmaster-General of the Nigerian Postal Services or a representative
Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Services or a representative
Inspector-General of Police or a representative
Comptroller-General Nigeria Immigration Services or a representative
Finally, four Nigerians that have experience in finance, accounting, and banking

Departments in EFCC

There are four departments in the EFCC. They include:

The Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit
Public Interface Unit
Media Academy Unit
Media and Publicity Unit

Definition and Duties of the Departments in EFCC

The Enlightenment and Re-orientation Unit

This department of the EFCC is saddled with the responsibility of executing public education by sensitising people about the commission’s mandate.

Public Interface Unit

This department is responsible for communicating and engaging the public through online and offline interfaces. It also manages the commission’s website and establishes a good public image of the commission.

Media and Publicity Unit

The Media and Publicity Unit is responsible for disseminating information on the commission’s activities to various stakeholders via several mass media platforms, including electronic, print, and social media. They release substantial information to the public.

Media Academy Unit

The Media Academy Unit is saddled with the responsibility of training media and public relations officers. It is also in charge of educating and sensitising people about the sister anti-corruption agencies across the globe.

Duties of the Four Departments of the EFCC

Conducting and sustaining thorough public sensitisation campaigns against economic and financial crimes within and outside the nation.
Taking coordinated preventive and regulatory actions, introducing and maintaining investigative and control techniques on the prevention of economic and financial-related crimes.
Adopting measures to eradicate the commission of economic and financial crimes.

What are the Functions of EFCC?

Below are the functions of the EFCC as stipulated in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act of 2004. It says the commission shall be responsible for:

The implementation and proper administration of this Act’s provisions
All financial crimes, such as advance fee fraud, money laundering, counterfeiting, unlawful charge transfers, futures market fraud, fraudulent encashment of negotiable instruments, computer credit card fraud, contract scams, and others, are investigated.
All economic and financial crime legislation and enforcement duties that have been delegated to another person or authority must be coordinated and enforced.
The implementation of steps to identify, track, freeze, confiscate, or seize funds obtained from terrorist actions, associated economic and financial crimes, or properties whose value corresponds to such amounts
The adoption of measures to prevent economic and financial crimes from being committed
The implementation of measures to prevent economic and financial crimes, such as coordinated preventative and regulatory efforts, the introduction and maintenance of investigation and control procedures
The promotion of quick scientific and technological information interchange, as well as the conduct of coordinated operations aimed at combating economic and financial crimes
The investigation and study of all reported incidents of economic and financial crime to identify people, corporate organizations, or groups engaged
Government, private persons, or organizations determining the scope of financial loss and other damages
Partnering with government entities both inside and outside Nigeria to carry out tasks that are entirely or partially equivalent to those of the Commission in the following areas:
- Locating, identifying, and determining the whereabouts and activities of those accused of committing economic and financial crimes
- The transfer of money or assets resulting from economic, financial, and other connected crimes
- Employees or other professionals being exchanged
- The creation and maintenance of a system for tracking international economic and financial crimes to spot suspicious transactions and people involved.
- Keeping data, statistics, records, and reports on people, organizations, profits, properties, papers, or other objects or assets implicated in financial and economic crimes
- Doing research and other comparable activities to determine the manifestation, scope, size, and impacts of economic and financial crimes, as well as advising the government on suitable intervention actions to counteract them.
Extradition, deportation, and reciprocal legal or other aid between Nigeria and any other nation involved in Economic and Financial Crimes
The reports about questionable financial activities are collected, analyzed, and sent to all appropriate government entities.
Directing, managing, controlling, and coordinating all duties, functions, and actions linked to the present investigation and prosecution of all economic and financial crimes
The coordination of all current economic and financial crime investigation teams
Maintaining a liaison with the Attorney General’s Office, the Nigerian Customs Service, the Immigration and Prisons Service Board, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, all government security and law enforcement agencies, and other financial supervisory institutions in the fight against economic and financial crimes
Implementing and maintaining intensive public awareness and education efforts against economic and financial crimes both within and beyond Nigeria
Carrying out any additional actions required or appropriate for the complete fulfilment of all or any of the tasks entrusted to it by this Act

Controversies Connected To EFCC

The commission, in the course of carrying out its duties, has been involved in several controversies. Some of these controversies have led to the EFCC being dragged to court. Below are some notable controversies of the commission:

Kogi State took EFCC to court over the controversial N19.3bn fund, demanding N35bn compensation for defamatory statements against the state government. The information was reported by the PUNCH newspaper on December 13, 2021.
The Supreme Court reduced the powers of EFCC in a case recorded as SC/CR/161/2020. According to Babatunde Lot Ogungbamile, the case looked at the interpretation of the powers of EFCC as provided in the Establishment Act of 2004. EFCC claimed that preventing the course of justice is a form of ‘corrupt malpractices’ as stated in the Act 2004. The Supreme Court held that the powers of the commission should rest on section 46 of its Establishment Act 2004. Also, corrupt practices in the act must be based on economic and financial crime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Full Meaning of EFCC?

EFCC stands for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The Commission is charged with the responsibility of combatting economic and financial crimes. EFCC also enforces all economic and financial crime laws in Nigeria.

Where is EFCC Headquarters?

EFCC headquarters is located at Plot 301/302, Institution and Research Cadastral District, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria. However, it has offices in states across Nigeria including Enugu, Ilorin, Ibadan, Benin.