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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has secured the conviction of not less than 150 corrupt individuals since the beginning of the year.
Acting Chairman of the agency, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, disclosed this on Monday in Ibadan during a stakeholders’ interactive session which held at the EFCC Ibadan zonal office, Iyaganku, Ibadan. He was received at the office by the Southwest Zonal Director, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, top officials of the agency, artisans, trade groups, religious leaders among others.
The interactive session, aimed at strengthening partnership and collaborative efforts with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption had in attendance the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its chairman in Oyo State, Mr Waheed Olojede; Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its state chairman, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu; founder of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Prof Sabitu Olagoke; as well as Oyo state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu and members of the Corrupt Practices Eradication Organisation of Nigeria (COPEON).
The EFCC boss also dismissed insinuations that the anti-graft agency was being used to witchhunt members of the opposition and perceived political enemies of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
His words: “The EFCC will not, and does not engage in a witch-hunt. Our activities are in line with international best practices. In all that we do, we are indeed, guided first by the fear of God and patriotism to our fatherland and the rule of law. I will continue to discharge my duties solely by the fear of Almighty God, the overriding interest of our fatherland, Nigeria and the rule of law.”
“It is pertinent for all of us to see ourselves as stakeholders in this fight. We must collectively strive to achieve the Nigeria of our dream, one which our children, indeed, even generations unborn will be proud of.
“For us at the EFCC, we are driven by courage, integrity and professionalism and our commitment to the common task of improving the lot of our people at the grassroots as we promote working partnership with all of you needs not be emphasised. Like we all know, corruption is the number one problem that has militated against the development of Nigeria, especially the very poor at the grassroots. The havoc that corrupt practices have wreaked on the Nigerian economy is, no doubt, endless.
“This is why fighting it to a standstill is not only a must but the only lifesaver for our country, as to save the next generation. I want to restate for the records that, there is no better time to prop up the anti-corruption campaign than now. There are various ways of fighting corruption, which is to sensitise, create awareness, and all that. But I am telling you, the looting must stop. We should not glorify the corrupt. We should not appreciate the corrupt. The ill must stop in the interest of our future generation. We have to find a way to protect their future.”
Stressing that the EFCC recognises no sacred cow in its fight against graft, Magu urged stakeholders not to relent in their advocacies, practices and programmes that discourage all forms of corruption in the country.
He said: “No doubt, your commitment and outcry against ills of corruption, particularly in the grassroots is a step in the right direction since the people at the grassroots constitute major victims of the menace of corruption anywhere in the world. I am also very much aware that this responsibility and partnership towards complementing Federal Government’s efforts to rid corruption in Nigeria, is a social responsibility of all of us in line with the change mantra of the present administration.
“The media owe the people, particularly at the grassroots, the obligation of providing relevant information on the consequences and the negative impact of corruption in the society. We are always ever ready to provide the media with the necessary information to be disseminated to the grassroots on the evil of corruption.”
The stakeholders in their various remarks, restated their readiness to support the EFCC in its work.