FIRS Teams Up with EFCC Against Tax Fraud

 In a bid to curb rising incidents of tax evasion and revenue leakages, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have deepened their collaboration to tackle tax-related fraud in Nigeria.

The partnership, which began in 2023, has evolved into a formidable alliance, combining the investigative capabilities of the EFCC with the tax intelligence of the FIRS. According to both agencies, the cooperation is yielding significant results and reshaping how financial crimes are detected and prosecuted.

Background: Strength in Synergy

Amid growing fiscal pressures and the federal government’s drive to expand non-oil revenue sources, the FIRS and EFCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in early 2023. The agreement enabled both institutions to share data in real-time, conduct joint audits, and pursue coordinated enforcement actions against tax defaulters.

The collaboration bore early fruit when the two agencies uncovered a tax evasion scheme involving a multinational firm that had underreported its earnings for years. The investigation led to the recovery of billions of naira in unremitted taxes and set the tone for further joint operations.

Progress and Impact

Since the formalization of the alliance, over 120 joint investigations and audits have been carried out. Officials say the crackdown on tax-related offences has improved compliance rates, especially among large corporate taxpayers.

FIRS Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, noted that the cooperation has enhanced the agency’s enforcement capabilities.

“The synergy with the EFCC is helping us address systemic tax evasion. It’s not just about collection—it’s about protecting the integrity of our tax system,” Adedeji said at a recent stakeholder event in Abuja.

Similarly, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, described the fight against tax fraud as a key part of the agency’s mandate to safeguard Nigeria’s economy.

“We view tax evasion as a form of economic sabotage. The collaboration with FIRS allows us to investigate and prosecute these offences more effectively,” Olukoyede stated.

The combined efforts have led to the recovery of more than ₦600 billion in unpaid taxes and fines since the partnership began.

Looking Ahead

Both agencies are now exploring the deployment of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and blockchain, to improve their auditing and monitoring systems. There are also plans to enhance whistleblower protection mechanisms and expand data-sharing frameworks with other regulatory bodies.

Policy analysts have praised the collaboration as a model for inter-agency cooperation, noting that similar partnerships could be replicated in the fight against customs fraud, cybercrime, and illicit financial flows.

As Nigeria seeks to stabilize its economy and boost domestic revenue, the EFCC-FIRS alliance underscores the importance of institutional collaboration. With sustained political will and technological investment, observers say the partnership could play a critical role in securing Nigeria’s fiscal future.

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