Deputy Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Deborah Adamu-Eteh, has retired from the anti-graft agency after two decades of service, recalling the intense pressure and threats she faced while prosecuting high-profile cases.
Adamu-Eteh, who headed the Legal and Prosecution Department of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, spoke during a pull-out parade held in Lagos on Friday, September 4, 2026, to mark her retirement and 60th birthday.
The ceremony brought together senior EFCC officers, colleagues and family members, who paid tribute to the retiring officer and praised her contributions to the Commission’s prosecution efforts.
The Acting Zonal Director of Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC Bawa Usman Kaltungo, commended Adamu-Eteh for what he described as meritorious service and significant contributions to the Directorate.
Represented by the Head of Investigations, ACE II Moses Oguzi, Kaltungo particularly highlighted her leadership of the Legal and Prosecution Department, saying the unit recorded numerous successful prosecutions during her tenure.
He described Adamu-Eteh as a committed and experienced officer whose professional contributions strengthened the Directorate’s prosecutorial efforts and advanced the EFCC’s mandate.
The Head of Medicals for Lagos Zonal Directorates 1 and 2, ACE I Caleb Bwala, also described the retiring officer as a disciplined legal practitioner whose commitment to her duties was exemplary.
A staff member of the Legal and Prosecution Department, ACE I Orhieoghene Adewunmi, paid tribute to Adamu-Eteh’s leadership and also highlighted her humane approach to colleagues.
Reflecting on her career, Adamu-Eteh said prosecutorial work could be demanding and came with difficult experiences, particularly during her postings to the South-South and South-East regions, where she handled several high-profile cases.
“The work sometimes came with intense pressure, including threats from defence lawyers and defendants in court,” she recalled.
Despite the challenges, Adamu-Eteh said the experiences tested her resilience and strengthened her determination to carry out her responsibilities professionally while upholding the principles of justice.
She thanked the management and staff of the Directorate for the recognition and support she received throughout her career, and urged serving EFCC officers to remain committed to the fight against economic and financial crimes.
Born on September 6, 1966, Adamu-Eteh hails from Ogwule-Kaduna in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
She joined the EFCC in 2006 and rose through the ranks, serving in various leadership positions at the Commission’s headquarters and its Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kaduna and Lagos zonal directorates.
Her retirement brings to a close a 20-year career spanning legal, prosecution and leadership responsibilities within Nigeria’s foremost anti-financial-crime agency.
