EFCC RECOVERS N60B WITHIN 3 MONTHS, COMMISSION SOLICITS MORE SUPPORTS AGAINST CORRUPTION 31-01-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC says it has recovered Over Sixty Billion Naira within Last One hundred days.
The Chairman of the Commission, Mr Ola Olukoyede made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during a one dialogue with the Theme, Youth, Religion and Fight against Corruption.
He said the Successes were recorded due to determination and doggedness of the EFCC Operatives and stronger Collaboration with other Stakeholders to get the Country rid of Corruption.
Mr Olukoyede explained that the Commission had accepted a total of 2,657 out of 3325 Petitions received while 747 Convictions were secured within his one hundred days in office.
The Chairman of EFCC confessed that fight had been rigorous, hence the need for collective collaboration among All stakeholders to join the Commission to fight Corruption especially Cybercrimes among Youths.
Mr Olukoyede who also decried the adverse effect of Corruption on Nation’s Economy, called on the Academicians and Religious Leaders to instil the spirit of Transparency and accountability on Younger ones in the interest of the Nation
“Concensus built between the faith leaders would also promote probity, sincerity and accountability.
He also expressed worry over the involvement of some Religious Leaders in Corruption in the Country that portrayed the institution in bad Light.
He said apart from Fraud Risk Assessment Project launched for MDAS, other Tools also developed to combat Corruption.
Also, The Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi described the event as laudable, and stressed the need for concerted efforts to prevent and prosecute of Corrupt persons both Private and Public Sectors.
President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh and President General, Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs Alhaji Saad Abubakar said engaging Religious leaders in the fight against Corruption would go along way to achieve Corruption-Free Nation.
According to CAN President, Religion bring in Honesty, integrity and Accountability.
He emphasized that it became necessary for Leaders at all levels to live exemplary lives for the Youths to emulate.
“Good values, will help our Youth to shun Corruption and Cybercrimes and contribute their quota for rapid development of the nation”.
On the Manual launched, Archbishop Okoh said the Document was good enough for All Religious leaders to read and all the Stakeholders especially the Youths to key in to the Mandate of the current administration to combat Corruption at all levels.
The President General, Nigerian supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, said ” the worst cankerworm that had eaten deep all sectors of human endeavors, is Corruption”
He stressed the need for the appointment of People of good Character in to Public offices, and expressed the determination of the both Christian and Muslim leaders to support the current EFCC Chairman to succeed
“Appointment of Government officials of people of no Corruption record and full with integrity, this must be taken very serious”
Any Government that want to succeed must appoint People of integrity into public offices”
Also at the event were Traditional Rulers which including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi said Cyber crimes associated with Youth, is being cause as a result of Poor leadership and failed policies.
The Ooni of Ife called for Restructure of governance to reduce Corruption in Nigeria.
“While Governance is too attractive and juicy, why so many Governors get away with many things,” we are the problem of our self, we need to talk to our self, our Leaders have failed us, this encourage many Youths to go to Yahoo Yahoo.We must stop talking talking syndrome but let look inwards and proffer solutions” .
Community policing, governance, Development would help to foster rapid development of the nation.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof Lilian Salami who is also Chairman Committee of Vice Chancellors pledged on behalf of Vice Chancellor across the country to build and instil good values on Nigerian Students.
The Senate President, God”sWill Akpabio, represented by Chairman,Senate Committee on Anti Corruption, Senator Emmanuel Odede stressed the need for the usage of modern gadgets and collaborative efforts by all to Combat Corruption.
Archbishop Daniel John Praise who spoke on behalf the Committee for the production of Interfaith Manual on Corruption, appreciated President Bola Tinubu and Chairman of the EFCC for the opportunity given to them.
President Bola Tinubu represented by Vice President, Kashim Shettima says the trend of internet fraud is global menace but the present administration would ensure Youths use their skills in a lawful manner to develop the Country.
VP Shettima noted both Christian and Islamic condemned Corruption, hence the need for religious Leaders to champion the course against Corruption from the grassroots to National level.
Theme: “Youth, Religion and the Fight against Corruption ”
The One day Dialogue had in attendance, Vice Chancellors, lll, Provosts of Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, Religion Leaders, Traditional Rulers, Heads of MDAs, Students, Youth Groups, Civil Society groups and other relevant Stakeholders.
It was also used to mark One hundred days in Office of the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede.