(DDM) – Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been re-elected as President of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), following the organization’s 7th Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Abuja.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the re-election reflects widespread commendation for Olukoyede’s leadership and commitment to tackling trans-border economic and financial crimes across the West African sub-region.
The AGA, attended by representatives from all ECOWAS member states present, also affirmed the adoption of guidelines on borderless investigations, asset tracing, recovery, and management, designed to harmonize anti-corruption efforts across national boundaries.
Member states were urged to integrate these ECOWAS guidelines into their national frameworks to ensure uniform implementation and strengthen regional cooperation in asset recovery, mutual legal assistance, and information exchange.
The assembly reaffirmed its commitment to the 2001 ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight against Corruption, the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), and the African Union Convention on Prevention and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC).
Olukoyede and other Executive Committee members, who completed their first term, were re-elected through consensus for another three-year term, reflecting recognition of their exemplary performance and dedication to regional anti-corruption initiatives.
The assembly also marked the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS, symbolizing renewed unity and collaboration among member states in addressing financial crimes and promoting transparency.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who officially opened the AGA on October 14, 2024, highlighted the urgent need to classify resource theft, illegal mining, and mineral smuggling as international crimes.
He warned that the illicit trade in minerals and other natural resources threatens peace, stability, and economic prosperity across West Africa and called for global action to combat these activities.
The AGA welcomed new member institutions into NACIWA, including Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau and CPC Cabo Verde, expanding the network’s reach and capacity for coordinated anti-corruption enforcement.
The communique stressed the importance of collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs), youth groups, and media networks to enhance advocacy and public participation in the fight against corruption.
Experts say that strengthening regional frameworks and enhancing cooperation between national financial intelligence units and law enforcement agencies is crucial to tackling the increasingly sophisticated networks involved in cross-border economic crimes.
Olukoyede’s re-election is expected to further consolidate efforts to combat financial crimes, improve asset recovery processes, and promote accountability and good governance across West Africa.
The assembly concluded with renewed calls for member states to domesticate and operationalize ECOWAS protocols, ensuring alignment between national systems and regional commitments to fight corruption.