By Comrade Ajayi Adewale Victor
For decades, Ekiti State has been proudly known as the Fountain of Knowledge—a land celebrated for academic excellence, integrity, intellectual development, and the outstanding contributions of its sons and daughters across Nigeria and beyond. Our identity has never been built on wealth acquired overnight, but on education, hard work, discipline, and honour.
However, in recent years, the rapid rise of internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo,” has increasingly cast a shadow over the image of our dear state. While the overwhelming majority of our young people are hardworking, honest, and law-abiding, the activities of a criminal minority have unfortunately created a negative perception that affects everyone.
The establishment of an office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ado-Ekiti under the leadership of the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, an illustrious son of Ikere-Ekiti, reflects the growing need to strengthen the fight against financial and cybercrime within the state. It is not a badge of shame on Ekiti; rather, it is a commitment to protecting the future and reputation of our people.
I commend the EFCC for taking practical steps to combat economic and financial crimes. A society that refuses to confront criminality cannot expect genuine economic growth, investor confidence, or sustainable development.
It is understandable that some traders, market women, hoteliers, landlords, and business owners have expressed concerns that commercial activities have slowed since the EFCC intensified its operations in the state. Many businesses that previously depended on the extravagant spending of suspected fraudsters have experienced reduced patronage.
While these concerns are genuine from a business perspective, we must ask ourselves an important question: Should an economy depend on proceeds of crime, or should it be built on legitimate enterprise, innovation, and honest labour?
The answer is clear. No society can achieve lasting prosperity by relying on illegal wealth. Money obtained through fraud may circulate quickly, but it cannot build a stable economy, attract credible investors, or secure the future of generations yet unborn.
When criminals are allowed to thrive, they damage the reputation of an entire community. Genuine students become subjects of suspicion. Honest entrepreneurs struggle to gain trust. International opportunities become more difficult because the actions of a few stain the image of many.
Our heritage as the Fountain of Knowledge deserves better.
Some citizens have also criticised the methods sometimes employed by the EFCC, particularly early morning or late-night operations, searches, and arrests. While every law enforcement agency must always respect human dignity and fundamental rights, it is important for the public to understand that the EFCC derives its powers from the law.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 empowers the Commission to investigate, prevent, detect, and prosecute economic and financial crimes. In carrying out these duties, the EFCC may obtain search warrants and arrest warrants from competent courts where required. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 also provides legal procedures governing arrests, searches, investigations, and the treatment of suspects.
Furthermore, Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) guarantees every person’s right to personal liberty but also recognises that a person may lawfully be arrested or detained in accordance with procedures permitted by law for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting criminal offences.
Similarly, Section 37 of the Constitution protects the privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, and communications. However, these rights are not absolute where a lawful search or investigation is conducted under judicial authority or other powers recognised by law. Law enforcement agencies are expected to operate within the confines of the Constitution and applicable statutes.
This means that while citizens have constitutional rights, the EFCC equally has statutory responsibilities to investigate crimes. Where any officer exceeds the law or abuses power, such conduct can and should be challenged through the courts. However, the existence of isolated complaints should not become a reason to discourage the overall fight against corruption and financial crime.
As citizens, our duty is to cooperate with lawful investigations while insisting that every agency remains accountable to the Constitution and the rule of law.
To our market men and women, transport operators, hotel owners, landlords, artisans, and other business operators, I appeal for patience. Every economy experiences temporary adjustments when illegal sources of money are removed from circulation. In the long run, a cleaner economy attracts genuine businesses, tourism, investments, employment opportunities, and sustainable development.
The prosperity we desire must come from industries, agriculture, technology, manufacturing, education, commerce, and entrepreneurship—not from internet fraud or other criminal activities.
To our young people, let us remember that education is a tool for transformation, not a cover for criminality. Ekiti has produced professors, judges, engineers, doctors, diplomats, entrepreneurs, military officers, public servants, and innovators who earned their success through diligence and integrity. That is the legacy we must preserve.
Let us reject shortcuts to wealth and embrace excellence through honest work. The respect earned through integrity lasts far longer than wealth acquired through fraud.
Ekiti belongs to all of us. Protecting its reputation is a collective responsibility. Every citizen has a role to play in restoring the values that made our state the pride of Nigeria.
A society governed by law, integrity, and accountability will always be more prosperous than one driven by crime and fear. Let us therefore support every lawful effort aimed at making Ekiti safer, restoring our good name, and creating an environment where genuine businesses can flourish.
The future of Ekiti depends not on illegal wealth, but on the character, industry, and integrity of its people.
Comrade Ajayi Adewale Victor
