The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ilorin Zonal Directorate, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin Branch, Human Rights Committee, have expressed commitment to strengthening collaboration to promote the rule of law, protect fundamental human rights and improve the 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 in Ilorin, ACE I Victoria Ugo-Ali, at the commission’s office in G.R.A., Ilorin, Kwara State.
Hassan-Aribito, who is also the Vice Chairperson of the NBA Ilorin Branch, commended the EFCC for its efforts to combat corruption, sanitise society and uphold the rule of law.
She explained that the NBA Human Rights Committee was established to protect citizens’ fundamental rights, particularly those of less privileged individuals who may lack the financial resources to secure legal representation.
According to her, the committee was concerned about preventing human rights abuses and ensuring that innocent persons were not subjected to unjust treatment.
She noted that the EFCC, as a major government institution, had an important responsibility to ensure that citizens’ rights were protected during investigations and prosecutions involving financial crimes.
Hassan-Aribito consequently called for stronger engagement between the EFCC and the NBA, particularly on matters involving lawyers handling cases before the commission.
She assured the EFCC that the NBA would not condone professional misconduct by its members, emphasising the need for lawyers to uphold professional ethics and ensure compliance with due process.
In her response, 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.
She said the rule of law remained a guiding principle of the EFCC, adding that the commission 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, stressing that respect for due process was fundamental to its investigative and prosecutorial responsibilities.
Describing lawyers as “ministers in the temple of justice,” Ugo-Ali solicited their continued cooperation and professional support in the fight against economic and financial crimes.
She added that collaboration between the EFCC and the legal profession was essential to ensuring that the fight against corruption remained within the bounds of the law while victims of financial crimes received justice.
