The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha Magu has called on faith-based
organizations to rise to the occasion in the fight against corruption by teaching
their faithful moral uprightness and integrity.
Magu who spoke through the Head, Ibadan Zonal office of the Commission,
Mr. Mohammed Rabo, 17th March, 2018 at
the 7th Tri-Ennial National Delegate Conference of the National
Council of Muslim Youth Organizations, observed that, “Every religion teaches
the fear of God and abhors every behavioural digression that promotes moral
decadence, impurity and all forms of vices including corruption”.
Referring to a well-known Hadith, Magu
quoting Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings unto him) said: “Whoever amongst
you sees something wrong he should change it physically – using his hand, if he
is not able to do so with his hand, he should change it orally – speaking out
in condemnation against it. If that is still not possible, he should detest it
in his mind; this constitutes the weakest level of faith”, he urged.
According to him, given the teachings of
the above Hadith and the corresponding dictates in other religion, there is no
reason why all and sundry who believe in the commandments of God, particularly
Muslims should not be in the forefront in the fight against corruption and
other vices in the society. The strength or weakness of our faith can be
measured by our ability or otherwise to stand up to and challenge those
committing evil acts, including those acts that negatively impact our social,
economic and moral well-being”.
However, he lamented how people now whip up
religious sentiments whenever they are called upon to account for any alleged
misdeed.
“It is
sad to note that the corrupt, using sponsored people claim that they are being
prosecuted because of their region, or their ethnic identity. They do their
utmost not to answer the all-important question of whether or not they were
guilty of the corruption allegations against them”.
“When we arrest and prosecute individuals for
economic and financial crimes we are oblivious of their religion or ethnic
identity. What we see before us are men and women who have done something wrong
and who should answer before the law courts”.
In any case, who among the corrupt and
those engaged in financial and economic crimes does so in the name of his or
her region, religion or ethnic group?, Magu asked. “Each and every person we
have interrogated and prosecuted cornered resources meant for their people to
private use, only to turn and appeal to those same people they have
impoverished - whipping up ethno-religious sentiments”, he stated.
He urged the youth to form a vanguard
against corruption and make themselves ambassadors of integrity by questioning
any momentary wealth and ostentatious living.
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