The acting Chairman of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has condemned
inducement of voters by politicians during elections, saying it is another form
of corruption.
Magu said the monetization of
electoral process must be frowned on by Nigerians because it could impact
negatively on the future of the country.
Speaking during an interactive
session with media executives at the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal office on Tuesday,
December 4, 2018, Magu stated that “We are again at the cusp of history. In
only a few weeks from now, we would be going to the polls to elect leaders at
all levels of government.
“Howsoever that process goes
depends a lot on all of us. Let us vote in leaders based on their programmes
and priorities not on how much they are able to pervert the system.”
The EFCC boss, who described
the media as the compass providing clear direction for the Commission in its
relentless efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption, also stated that the fight for
the soul of Nigeria was one between the patriotic and the corrupt
“The fight is also one between
the keepers and the looters of our common patrimony. The latter group has
continuously demonstrated its I-don’t-care attitude to the socio-economic
wellbeing of our dear country. But as stakeholders, we must be alert to our
responsibilities to wrest our commonwealth from the grasp of the looters”, he emphasized.
He, therefore, stated that it
was important for stakeholders in the anti-graft war to pause and critically
review the high and low points of the strategies in dealing with the monster of
corruption, which is the bane of the development of the country.
He also charged the media not
to leave the fight against corruption only in the hand of the EFCC, adding that
“Whenever you give us knocks in your editorials or reportage, we take it in
good faith, believing that we are either not doing enough or we need to change
our strategies.
“In the same way, when you give
us kudos, we don't feel we should roll out the drums and celebrate because
there is still a lot of ground to cover. As I always say, we don't have a
monopoly of knowledge on how best the war against corruption can be fought. So,
we will always run to you for brilliant ideas on how best to combat the evil of
corruption. Be assured that we will always heed your candid pieces of
advice.
“Indeed, I see the media as the
potent megaphone to trumpet the need for the generality of Nigerians to take
ownership of the fight against corruption.”
Magu, who also described the
Commission as apolitical, stated that the Commission’s concern bordered on
those who seek to use the political space for money laundering.
He, however, said that the EFCC
would invoke the provisions of the anti-money laundering law to the letter,
irrespective of whose ox is gored.
He added: “Some vested
interests are already attacking us for our stand on the side of the law.
Let us remind them that the law is no respecter of persons.
“But we also know that we will
be fooling one another if we think that the fight against corruption and
economic and financial crimes will be a tea affair. It has never been, and it
will never be! The reason, you will agree with me, is simply that
corruption will always fight back.
“Besides, in today's Nigeria,
the issue of corruption has become a hydra-headed problem. But it will even be
more dangerous if critical stakeholders, including the media, leave it only to
the EFCC. That is why we will always ask for your support.”
Magu, who said the introduction
of special courts to try persons for corruption cases had been a blessing to
anti-graft agencies, disclosed that the Commission had recorded 246 convictions
as at November 30, 2018.
“I make bold to say that the
Commission is winning the war against corruption. In terms of assets
recovery/forfeiture, the Commission has secured quite a number of temporary or
permanent forfeiture of properties and various sums of monies unlawfully
acquired by persons of questionable character. The most recent of such
final forfeiture, through the efforts of the Commission to the federal
government last month, was the N1.9 Billion from Heritage Bank.
“In addition,
the Commission keeps getting more global recognitions for its daring
efforts to sanitise the country. Several respectable international
agencies have signed collaborative agreements with the Commission to tackle the
menace of corruption,” he said.
Magu also described as
untrue the insinuation by critics that the Commission had been engaging in
witch hunt, saying, “It is not a tool in the hands of anyone, government or
individual, either. If your hands are clean, you can go to bed with your two
eyes closed. We will never compromise our integrity!”
He also disclosed that the
Commission had opened three new zonal offices in Sokoto ,Benue and Kwara States
for a strategic purpose.
“Other zonal offices, reflecting
the old 12-states structure are coming soon to bring the Commission closer to
the people,” he added.
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