EFCC presents N76.586 billion budget to House of Reps

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presented a budget of N76.586 billion (Seventy-Six Billion, Five Hundred and Eighty-Six Million Naira) for 2024 to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Financial Crimes on Tuesday.

According to a release by Dele Oyewale, the commission’s Head of Media and publicity, the proposed budget reflects a 53.48% increase over the Commission’s 2023 appropriation of N49.901 billion (Forty-Nine Billion, Nine Hundred and One Million Naira). In the budget estimate, a total of N37.074 billion (Thirty-Seven Billion, Seventy-Four Million Naira) was proposed as personnel cost, N14.513 billion (Fourteen Billion, Five Hundred and Thirteen Million Naira) as overhead cost, and N25.000 billion (Twenty-Five Billion Naira) as capital cost.

Presenting the budget to the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, stated that the 2024 proposed estimate of N76.486 billion represented a significant increase over 2023’s N49.901 billion budget, owing to additional funds needed for overhead, personnel, and capital costs.

“This increase is solely attributable to the rise in personnel cost from N36.834 billion to N37.074 billion in 2024, overhead cost from N10.535 billion to 14.513 billion in 2024, and capital cost from N2.531 billion to N25.000 billion in 2024,” he said.

Commenting on the 2023 budget performance, Olukoyede explained that the sum of N36.835 billion was appropriated as the Commission’s personnel cost for the year. “Out of this figure, the sum of N28.452 billion representing 77% has been released for the payment of salary and allowances of staff on the Commission’s payroll between January and November 2023. Additionally, the sum of N7.024 billion representing 67% of the N10.535 billion appropriated for the Commission’s overhead cost in 2023 has so far been released.”

The EFCC Chairman further stated that the Commission’s request for additional funds for overhead is due to the high cost of air travel tickets, motor vehicle fuel costs, diesel costs, and the high cost of maintenance of buildings, operational vehicles, and office equipment in the headquarters and fourteen Zonal Commands.

He appreciated the Committee’s support for the Commission in the discharge of its duties and the successes it is achieving in the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

Responding, Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, Ginger Obinna, stated that financial crimes pose a significant threat to the stability and progress of any economy. “In recent years, our nation has witnessed a surge in sophisticated financial crimes that demand our immediate attention and robust defense mechanisms. From money laundering to cybercrimes, the challenges are multifaceted and ever-evolving. We must stay ahead of these threats, adapt our strategies, and equip ourselves adequately to counteract the forces that seek to undermine our economic well-being and that of our nation.”

He stated that the budget’s defense and discussions on issues related to it were a reflection of the Committee’s commitment to creating an environment where citizens can trust the financial institutions that drive the economy and empower the EFCC to carry out its vital duty. “It is a pledge to provide the necessary resources to empower the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to carry out its vital mission effectively,” he said.