Barrister Bilkisu Buhari-Bala has been named the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Staff of the Year in recognition of her outstanding performance and dedication to duty.
With over a decade of service at the Commission, Buhari-Bala recorded 89 convictions during the year under review and successfully handled several high-profile cases, including FRN v. Olukeye Adedoyo Olalekan, the Operation Eagle Flush prosecution involving 193 Chinese nationals, and multiple non-conviction forfeiture matters linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Speaking at the EFCC’s Recognition and Reward Ceremony, the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, said the initiative was designed to celebrate excellence, dedication and commitment to duty, while motivating officers to consistently give their best.
“Every staff member of the Commission is important, and every work we do, individually and collectively, is equally important. However, exemplary performance deserves recognition, and that is why we are gathered here today,” Olukoyede said.
Buhari-Bala’s pivotal role in Operation Eagle Flush significantly boosted the EFCC’s public image and projected Nigeria positively on the international stage, underscoring the Commission’s resolve to combat transnational financial crimes.
The EFCC Chairman urged award recipients to view the honour as a call to even greater service, while encouraging other officers to remain steadfast and committed to excellence.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Organising Committee and Commander of the EFCC, CE Femi Peter Gbarufu, explained that the ceremony was organised to celebrate officers who distinguished themselves through commitment, diligence, perseverance, innovation and outstanding performance in their assigned responsibilities.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Staff of the Year Award, won by Superintendent of the EFCC (SE) Bilkisu Buhari-Bala. In addition, 24 officers were honoured as Best Staff across various departments of the Commission.
Among the awardees were Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Monday Ocholi Attah, Best Staff in the Office of the Executive Chairman; Chief Superintendent of the EFCC (CSE) Martha Ojochokutami Eche, Best Staff in the Public Affairs Department; Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC (ASE I) Patience Saba Peter, Best Staff in the Finance and Accounts Department; ASE I Yusuf Awang Mangut, Best Staff in Administration and Human Resources; and ACE I Abiodun Adebanjo, Best Staff in Planning, Policy, Research and Statistics.
Others included Inspector of the EFCC (IE I) Shehu Muhammad Auwal and Detective Assistant (DA II) Zaharadeen Yakubu Adamu, Best Staff in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission, among others.
The ceremony also recognised prosecutors with the highest number of convictions, sections with the highest convictions and recoveries, as well as officers who have served the Commission for 20 years and above, who received Long Service Awards.
