The Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Wednesday described corruption as “most extensive and deeply entrenched culture” in Nigeria.
Magu said between January and July this year, the Commission had secured 142 convictions including that of two former governors – Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and Rev. Jolly Nyame (Taraba).
Magu spoke through the Zonal head of EFCC in Ibadan, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, while addressing security agencies, paramilitary groups, Non- governmental agencies, civil society groups, students, voluntary organisations, trade groups and community leaders who joined the EFCC in a road walk against corruption.
The exercise followed the adoption of July 11 as the African Anti-corruption Day, with the officials of the Ibadan Zonal office of the EFCC leading hundreds of protesters on a peaceful solidarity march from Iyaganku GRA to Cocoa House in Dugbe.
The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, urged the people to support the present administration’s anti-graft campaign.
The inscriptions on some of the placards read: “Beware of juju scam,” “ Fight against corruption, we will make Nigeria great again,” “Speak out, say no to corruption,” “ Red card for corruption,” “See something, say something, EFCC will do something” and “Support EFCC to fight corruption,” among others.
Other agencies who joined the EFCC in the solidarity rally were – the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Directorate of State Services (DSS), police and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Magu said: “This year’s event has a unique resonance coming against the backdrop of the AU declaration of 2018 as the African Year of Combating Corruption with the theme ‘winning the fight against corruption: A sustainable path to Africa’s transformation.
“The designation of President Muhammadu Buhari as the Africa’s Anti-Corruption Champion also adds a distinct Nigerian flavour to this year’s event with the EFCC driving the process.
“For us in Nigeria, today is a special day for obvious reasons. This is because our country has one of the most extensive and deeply entrenched culture of corruption on the African continent, if not in the whole world. This is manifested in the increasingly large number of corruption related investigations, litigations, convictions and recoveries made by the EFCC since 2003.
“The depth and gravity of corruption can be seen in the fact that between January and July alone, the EFCC has secured 142 convictions, amongst which are that of Reverend Jolly Name and Chief Joshua Dariye, the former governors of Plateau and Taraba States respectively.
“This is an indication that we are determined to win the corruption war, no matter how long it will take. The Commission has also traced and recovered illicit funds, as well as properties worth billions of dollars. This level of corruption is shocking, destructive and totally unacceptable. Therefore, the commemoration of the African Anti-Corruption day is important, timely and necessary.”