EFCC & ICPC investigations
Representation from the invitation and interview stage through to charge, bail and trial.
Practice area
Financial Crime Defense
Discreet, rigorous defense for individuals, executives and companies facing fraud, money-laundering and corruption allegations — and the scrutiny of the EFCC, ICPC and other agencies.
Overview
Calm, strategic defense when it matters most.
An invitation from the EFCC or ICPC, a freezing order, or a quiet call from investigators can upend a life or a business overnight. What you do in the first hours often shapes everything that follows. Fort Kovant defends people and companies at exactly these moments — calmly, strategically, and in complete confidence.
We understand how these investigations are built, where they are vulnerable, and how to protect your position, your reputation and your liberty. Many matters that begin as criminal complaints are, on proper examination, commercial disagreements — and a well-prepared response can change their direction early.
Where a case does proceed, we prepare thoroughly for bail, trial and, where it is genuinely in your interest, negotiated outcomes.
Who we act for
- Individuals invited by the EFCC, ICPC or the Police
- Company directors, executives and business owners
- Bankers, accountants and other professionals whose transactions are questioned
- Public officers facing corruption-related enquiries
- Families whose accounts or property have been frozen
What we handle
The matters we defend
Fraud & false pretence
Advance-fee fraud (“419”), obtaining by false pretence and related offences under the Advance Fee Fraud Act and the Criminal and Penal Codes.
Money laundering
Charges under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, including source-of-funds and structuring allegations.
Asset freezing & forfeiture
Account freezes, interim forfeiture and proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022.
Bribery & corruption
Public-sector and corporate corruption allegations, including gratification and abuse-of-office matters.
Tax & financial misconduct
Tax-related offences, false accounting and regulatory financial breaches.
Cyber & economic crime
Allegations under the Cybercrimes Act touching on online fraud, identity and payment offences.
Regulatory & whistleblower matters
Responses to regulator enquiries and exposure arising from petitions and whistleblower reports.
Bail & fundamental rights
Bail applications and actions to enforce fundamental rights where detention or treatment is unlawful.
Signs it’s time
When to call us
- You have received an EFCC, ICPC or Police invitation letter or call
- Your bank account has been frozen or placed on post-no-debit
- Property has been sealed or published for interim forfeiture
- Investigators have searched your home or office, or seized devices
- A petition or media report accuses you or your company of fraud
- A regulator or auditor has raised questions about transactions
The Nigerian framework
We work daily within Nigeria’s financial-crime architecture — the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004, the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022, the Cybercrimes Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA).
We appear before the Federal High Court, State High Courts and the FCT High Court, and we use the rights guaranteed by the Constitution — including the right to counsel, to silence and to be brought before a court within a reasonable time — to protect clients from the outset.
The international dimension
Financial crime rarely stops at the border. We are alert to FATF standards, the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), cross-border AML obligations, mutual legal assistance (MLAT) requests, INTERPOL notices, extradition exposure and international sanctions.
Where a matter touches other jurisdictions, we coordinate with foreign counsel so that your position is protected on every front.
How we work
A clear process, from first call to resolution.
Urgent contact
Reach us by WhatsApp or phone. We assess the situation quickly and tell you what to do — and not do — right now.
Confidential assessment
We review the allegations, documents and exposure, and map the realistic paths forward.
Strategy
A defense strategy built around the outcome you need — from engagement with investigators to bail and trial readiness.
Representation & resolution
We stand with you at interviews, in negotiations and in court, pursuing the earliest, strongest resolution available.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can’t see your question? Ask us directly — a short, confidential conversation is the fastest way to clarity.
The EFCC has invited me — what should I do first?
Do not attend alone or volunteer statements before taking advice. Contact a lawyer immediately; how you respond in the first hours matters. We can often engage with investigators on your behalf and agree a suitable date.
Will I be detained if I honour an invitation?
Not necessarily — many invitations end the same day. If you are detained, the Constitution requires that you be brought before a court within a reasonable time (generally within 24 hours where there is a court within 40 kilometres), and bail can be applied for. We plan bail arrangements with you in advance.
Can you help if my accounts have been frozen?
Yes. Freezing orders are often obtained without notice to the account holder. We obtain the order, assess its basis, and apply to set it aside or vary it — for example, to release funds for salaries, living expenses or legal fees.
Can a petition be resolved without charges?
Sometimes. Where the facts support it, a well-prepared response with documents that explain the transaction can lead investigators to close a file, or show that a commercial dispute has been presented as a crime. Outcomes vary and nothing can be guaranteed.
What is plea bargaining, and should I consider it?
The ACJA allows plea bargaining in certain circumstances. It can be appropriate in some cases, but it has lasting consequences, so it should only be considered after careful advice on the evidence and the alternatives.
Is my matter confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is fundamental to how we work. Please still avoid sharing sensitive details over open channels until we are formally engaged.
Do you handle matters with an international element?
Yes — cross-border investigations, mutual legal assistance requests, INTERPOL notices and extradition exposure, coordinating with foreign counsel where needed.
How quickly can you act?
Urgently when it matters. Use the WhatsApp button for the fastest response.
Guides
Practical guides for this area
Free guide
EFCC vs ICPC: who investigates what
A short primer on Nigeria’s two principal anti-corruption agencies — their legal basis, focus and powers — so you understand who is…
Read the guide Members guideProtecting assets during a financial investigation
Account freezes, interim forfeiture and restraint orders explained — and the practical steps that keep your position strong while an investigation runs.
Read the guide Members guideResponding to an EFCC invitation: a first-steps guide
A step-by-step guide to the first hours after an EFCC or ICPC invitation — what to do, what to avoid, and how…
Read the guideInsights
Further reading
Financial Crime
Your rights when you are questioned by the EFCC or the police
The constitutional and ACJA protections every suspect in Nigeria has — and how to use them calmly.
Financial Crime
Money laundering charges in Nigeria: what you are actually facing
The Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act casts a wide net. Understanding the framework is the first step…
Financial Crime
What to do in the first 48 hours after an EFCC invitation
An EFCC invitation is unsettling — but what you do first can shape everything that follows. Here is…
Facing a financial crime investigation? Speak with us in confidence.
The sooner we understand your situation, the more we can do. A short, discreet conversation is the best first step.