The
pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam
Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday warned Nigerians to desist from politicising the ongoing
fight against corruption being waged by the commission so as to rid the nation
of the monster.
pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam
Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday warned Nigerians to desist from politicising the ongoing
fight against corruption being waged by the commission so as to rid the nation
of the monster.
Speaking at a National
Stakeholders Workshop on Recovery and Management of Recovered Assets organized
by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, he faulted those who are
vilifying EFCC for daring to confront corruption, stressing that the only goal
of the commission was to protect national interest and not individual fortune.
Stakeholders Workshop on Recovery and Management of Recovered Assets organized
by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, he faulted those who are
vilifying EFCC for daring to confront corruption, stressing that the only goal
of the commission was to protect national interest and not individual fortune.
Ribadu, who recently defected
to the APC from the PDP, said that the current approach by the EFCC against
corruption remained the best and most appropriate way to go in tackling graft,
asking Nigerians to avoid whipping sentiments into the fight to ensure its
success.
to the APC from the PDP, said that the current approach by the EFCC against
corruption remained the best and most appropriate way to go in tackling graft,
asking Nigerians to avoid whipping sentiments into the fight to ensure its
success.
His words, “I want to appeal
to Nigerians to give the current government’s fight against corruption a chance
and shun the undue politicisation of issues. There is no other way to prosecute
anticorruption than what we are witnessing presently.
to Nigerians to give the current government’s fight against corruption a chance
and shun the undue politicisation of issues. There is no other way to prosecute
anticorruption than what we are witnessing presently.
“The effort has yielded
appreciable result going by the unprecedented recoveries and the high profile
cases being handled. The government and those in charge of the process deserve
commendation and our collective support.
appreciable result going by the unprecedented recoveries and the high profile
cases being handled. The government and those in charge of the process deserve
commendation and our collective support.
“This war is about the
survival of our country and the right environment has to be created for the
malfeasance to be cleaned and the right foundations and tools set for greater
Nigeria.
survival of our country and the right environment has to be created for the
malfeasance to be cleaned and the right foundations and tools set for greater
Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, emotions are
often put forward before national interest, thereby rubbishing what is
otherwise noble and patriotic undertaking.
often put forward before national interest, thereby rubbishing what is
otherwise noble and patriotic undertaking.
“Some of us that have done
this work and those presently doing it, have been unduly vilified for nothing
other than daring to confront the corruption monster. We need to change our
attitude, if we are to make enduring headway in this all-important battle,” the
ex-EFCC chairman noted.
this work and those presently doing it, have been unduly vilified for nothing
other than daring to confront the corruption monster. We need to change our
attitude, if we are to make enduring headway in this all-important battle,” the
ex-EFCC chairman noted.
Giving insight into how the
war against corruption can succeed, he suggested that a high level consultation
be held among the three arms of government to discuss steps and measures of
evolving a comprehensive national strategy on the fight against corruption that
would enumerate the roles expected of the three tiers of government.
war against corruption can succeed, he suggested that a high level consultation
be held among the three arms of government to discuss steps and measures of
evolving a comprehensive national strategy on the fight against corruption that
would enumerate the roles expected of the three tiers of government.
His words, “We should have a
strategy that is a product of a consensus. Out of this strategy we can agree,
if need be, to have new laws or institutions with clear mandates and
responsibilities.
strategy that is a product of a consensus. Out of this strategy we can agree,
if need be, to have new laws or institutions with clear mandates and
responsibilities.
“The federating units should
also be invited to sign on to this strategy so that at the end whatever emerges
is what everyone consents to. This buy-ins will guarantee effective
implementation.
also be invited to sign on to this strategy so that at the end whatever emerges
is what everyone consents to. This buy-ins will guarantee effective
implementation.
“There is also the need to
come together and make the best use of what we have, presently. We have
adequate mechanisms and tools to fight corruption through the instruments of
such laws and agencies as ICPC, EFCC, NEITI, BPP, AMCON, NDIC, CCB, among
others.
come together and make the best use of what we have, presently. We have
adequate mechanisms and tools to fight corruption through the instruments of
such laws and agencies as ICPC, EFCC, NEITI, BPP, AMCON, NDIC, CCB, among
others.
“From my personal experience,
and from the example of EFCC as an organisation, this work is better managed
when we have all components under one roof that caters for everything, instead
of having several agencies with overlapping and duplicating functions.”
and from the example of EFCC as an organisation, this work is better managed
when we have all components under one roof that caters for everything, instead
of having several agencies with overlapping and duplicating functions.”
