The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has charged students across the country to use the internet positively and for socially desirable activities.
He gave this charge on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 when the executives of the Niger Delta Students’ Union Government paid a courtesy visit to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission.
Olukoyede who spoke through the Acting Director of the Benin Zonal Directorate, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, DCE Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, urged the youths to be innovative, creative and explore the positive advantages that come with the internet.
“The internet does not have to be an avenue to impersonate, manipulate or fabricate lies to defraud others. Let the youths begin to use the internet to provide digital solutions to meet the needs of industries, homes and government,” he said.
He noted that many Nigerian youths are resourceful, innovative, creative and forward looking and warned those who seek to use the internet for negativity and fraud to desist from it. “We will continue to discharge our responsibility without fear or favour. Internet fraud is a crime, so we will not relent in arresting and prosecuting those found culpable,” he said.
He charged the students union executives to be role models in their campus. “As students’ union leaders, you have to be a good example and role model for others to see. You have to be good ambassadors. Leadership is by example. You have to lead the way,” he said. He also charged the students to collaborate with the Commission in propagating the message of integrity, accountability and transparency in their schools.
In his remarks, the National Secretary of the Union, Comrade Aighomwanhi Mascot said that the visit was to seek areas of collaboration and foster a long-lasting relationship between the Commission and the union. “We are seeking to explore ways to partner with your organization that will benefit the students and better our society,” he said.
He thanked the Commission for the reception noting that they have become better informed and educated about the activities of the Commission.
Similarly, Olukoyede on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, warned members of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, Edo State Branch not to become conduits for money launderers. He stated this when the new executive members of the association paid a courtesy visit to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission. The Chairman who spoke through DCE Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad urged the motor dealers’ executives to prevail on their members to obtain the Special Control Unit Against Money, SCUML, certification and comply with the money laundering laws and regulations. “We are trying to protect your business. You must help us to help you. Register and obtain the SCUML certificate, and ensure you report suspicion transactions to the Commission,” he said.
The newly elected Chairman of the union, Goodluck Imadiyi said the visit was to introduce themselves to the leadership of the Commission and to seek collaboration on regulatory compliance in line with the Money Laundering Act. “We believe that the collaboration will significantly help in ridding Edo State of fraudulent activities in the automobile sector,” he stated.
Also on Wednesday July 22, 2026, DCE Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad urged the executives of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, NANTA, Eastern Zone who paid a courtesy visit to the Benin Zonal Directorate to uphold professionalism in the discharge of their duties, noting that the Commission receives avalanche of petitions relating to visa fraud in the zone.
Responding, the coordinator of NANTA, Edo State chapter, Dr. Osaretin Daniel Okpiavbe noted that the reason for their visit was to seek ways to collaborate with the Commission on fraud prevention and to support the efforts at maintaining credibility within the industry. He commended the Commission for its steadfast commitment in combating financial crimes and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s economic and business environment