‘We Do Not Want EFCC Office in Awka’ — Anambra Voice Demands Infrastructure, Opposes ‘Militarisation’

Anambra has witnessed a fresh social media reaction to the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Zonal Directorate in Awka, with an X user identified as Uche Okoye, popularly associated with the handle Anambra 1st son, expressing opposition to the presence of the anti-graft agency in the state capital.

In a post on X, Okoye wrote: “We do not want EFCC office in Awka! We do not want EFCC office in Awka!”

He argued that the Federal Government should instead prioritise infrastructure capable of supporting commercial activities and economic growth in Awka.

“What we need is federal government infrastructure that will enhance business activities in the city,” he wrote, while also calling for an end to what he described as the “over militarization of the region.”

The comments followed the commissioning of the EFCC's new Zonal Directorate in Awka on October 2, 2026.

The facility, located at Udoka Estate, was commissioned on behalf of President Bola Tinubu by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. It is expected to serve both Anambra and Imo states, expanding the commission's operational presence in the South-East.

EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said the Awka office was established not merely to increase the commission's geographical reach but also to work with state governments, businesses and communities to identify vulnerabilities that could expose public resources and legitimate businesses to financial crimes.

Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who attended the commissioning, expressed support for the establishment of the office.

Soludo said Anambra was enthusiastic about having an EFCC presence because fighting financial crime was a collective responsibility.

“We are excited to host this EFCC office in Awka,” the governor said, according to Voice of Nigeria. He added that bringing the commission's functions closer to communities could strengthen efforts against financial crimes.

The governor also recounted his own experience with the EFCC, saying he had been invited during an investigation involving an agency of the Central Bank of Nigeria where he had served as board chairman. Soludo said the commission later informed him that its investigation had found no evidence against him.

Okoye's post reflects a different perspective on the Federal Government's priorities for Awka and the wider South-East.

Rather than additional security or law-enforcement institutions, he called for federal infrastructure that could directly support business activities in the state capital.

His comments also linked the EFCC presence to what he described as the “over militarization” of the region, although he did not provide specific examples or data in the post to substantiate that characterization.

The statement represents his expressed view and does not establish that the establishment of the EFCC office constitutes militarisation.EFCC Says Its Focus Is Also Prevention

The EFCC has said its strategy is increasingly focused on preventing financial crimes rather than relying only on investigations and recovery after funds have been lost.

Olukoyede disclosed at the Awka commissioning that the commission had begun efforts to monitor Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) releases to state and local governments as part of a preventive approach to public-finance management.

He also said the commission's Awka presence would help protect legitimate economic activity and strengthen collaboration with governments and businesses.

The EFCC reported that between October 2023 and July 2026, it received 49,673 petitions, investigated 39,615 cases, filed 14,476 cases in court and secured 10,872 convictions. During the first half of 2026, the commission reported 1,370 convictions and recoveries of more than ₦1.23 trillion, alongside recoveries in US dollars, pounds and euros.

The contrasting positions have opened another conversation about the type of federal presence residents and businesses in Anambra want.

While the EFCC sees its Awka directorate as an institutional tool for tackling financial crimes and protecting public resources, Okoye's post calls for greater emphasis on infrastructure that can facilitate commerce and investment.

The debate comes as the new EFCC directorate begins operations covering Anambra and Imo, with the commission saying its objective is to strengthen financial-crime prevention, investigations and engagement with citizens and businesses in the region.