…Stakeholders Critical to Anti-Corruption War — Kaltungo, Zainab Ahmed

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate, on Thursday hosted a one-day sensitization and capacity-building workshop for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and journalists, reaffirming its commitment to deepening collaboration with key stakeholders in the fight against corruption.

Declaring the workshop open, the Acting Zonal Director, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo fsi, cpe, fspsp, delivered the goodwill message of EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede. He described the forum as deliberate and strategic, noting that CSOs and journalists remain indispensable to promoting transparency, accountability and public enlightenment.

Kaltungo emphasized that civil society groups act as the conscience of society and a bridge between the government and citizens, while journalists wield the powerful pen that shapes public opinion, holds leaders accountable and exposes the spaces where corruption thrives.

He noted that intelligence and information supplied by CSOs and the media have supported many of the Commission’s landmark investigations and awareness campaigns, often alerting the EFCC to suspicious transactions, abuse of office and systemic fraud.

“These contributions have not gone unnoticed,” he said. “We see you not merely as observers or critics, but as partners in progress whose insights and networks enhance the reach and effectiveness of our mandate.”

In her welcome address, the Head of Public Affairs, Kaduna Zonal Office, Zainab Sani Ahmed, described CSOs and journalists as the Commission’s most valued stakeholders. She stressed that the EFCC cannot win the anti-corruption war alone, explaining that the workshop was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of emerging trends in financial and economic crimes.

Ahmed said the sessions would broaden participants’ knowledge of the legal and practical realities of prosecuting financial crimes, provide clarity on emerging threats such as cryptocurrency-related fraud, and highlight the preventive role CSOs and the media play in building a corruption-resistant society.

She added that the ultimate goal was to ensure participants leave better informed, better connected and better equipped to support the national anti-corruption campaign.

A major highlight of the event was a presentation by the Head of Legal & Prosecution, ACE I Nasiru Salele, titled “Prosecuting Financial Crimes: Challenges and the Way Forward.” He examined obstacles encountered in financial crimes prosecution and proposed reforms to improve conviction rates. Other presentations were also delivered.

The workshop brought together journalists and representatives of civil society organizations from across Kaduna, reinforcing the EFCC’s resolve to strengthen grassroots engagement and build stronger alliances in the effort to curb corruption.