EFCC, NBA Human Rights Committee Seek Stronger Collaboration on Rule of Law, Justice
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Directorate, and the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ilorin Branch, have expressed readiness to strengthen collaboration towards promoting the rule of law, protecting fundamental human rights and ensuring effective administration of justice.
The commitment was made on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, when the Chairperson of the NBA Human Rights Committee, Hajia Rasheedat Hassan-Aribito, led members of the Committee on a courtesy visit to the Zonal Director of the EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Directorate, ACE 1 Victoria Ugo-Ali, at the Commission’s office, G.R.A., Ilorin, Kwara State.
Hajia Hassan-Aribito, who is also the Vice Chairperson of the NBA, Ilorin Branch, commended the EFCC for its efforts at sanitising society, fighting corruption and upholding the rule of law, noting that the Human Rights Committee was established by the NBA to protect the fundamental rights of citizens, particularly the less privileged who may not have the financial capacity to secure legal representation.
According to her, the Committee was particularly concerned about preventing abuses of fundamental rights and ensuring that innocent persons were not subjected to unjust treatment. “The EFCC, as a major government institution, had a critical role to play in ensuring that the rights of citizens were protected in the course of investigating and prosecuting financial crimes,” she said.
Hassan-Aribito, therefore, called for stronger engagement between the EFCC and the NBA, particularly on issues relating to lawyers handling cases before the Commission. She assured the Zonal Director that the NBA would not condone professional misconduct by its members, stressing that lawyers must uphold the ethics of the profession and ensure that due process was followed in the discharge of their duties.
Responding, Ugo-Ali appreciated the Committee for the visit and described the NBA as a critical stakeholder in the fight against corruption and the administration of justice, noting that the rule of law remained a guiding principle of the Commission. According to her, the EFCC could not effectively discharge its mandate without respecting the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and other relevant laws.
“The Commission is very big on issues of fundamental rights. The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has directed that issues of abuse of fundamental rights should be given priority in our activities,” she said.
The Zonal Director further explained that the Commission’s operations were guided by the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, and other relevant laws, adding that respect for due process remained fundamental to its investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities.
She described lawyers as “ministers in the temple of justice” and solicited their continued cooperation and professional support in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
“Collaboration between the EFCC and the legal profession was essential to ensuring that the fight against corruption was conducted within the ambit of the law while also ensuring that victims of financial crimes received justice”, she added.
