EFCC, NBA committee to deepen collaboration on human rights, rule of law

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin Branch, have expressed readiness to strengthen collaboration in promoting the rule of law and protecting citizens’ fundamental rights.

The commitment was made on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, when the Chairperson of the NBA Human Rights Committee and Vice Chairperson of the NBA, Ilorin Branch, Hajia Rasheedat Hassan-Aribito, led members of the committee on a courtesy visit to the Ilorin Zonal Director of the EFCC, ACE 1 Victoria Ugo-Ali.

According to a statement issued by the EFCC on Thursday, Hassan-Aribito commended the commission for its efforts in fighting corruption, sanitising society and upholding the rule of law.

She said the NBA Human Rights Committee was established to protect the fundamental rights of citizens, particularly indigent people who might not have the financial capacity to secure legal representation.

Responding, Ugo-Ali 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, stressing that the commission could not effectively perform its duties without respecting rights guaranteed by the Constitution and other relevant laws.

“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,” Ugo-Ali said.

She added that the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, had directed that alleged abuses of fundamental rights should be given priority in the commission’s activities.

“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 added.