Acting Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ibrahim Magu yesterday dismissed speculations that the agency was being used to witch-hunt perceived enemies of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Magu, who said EFCC had sustained the anti-corruption war irrespective of personal or political affiliations, added that the agency had secured not fewer than 150 convictions of corrupt individuals from January to June.
โThatโs the best anybody can do,โ he said.
Magu spoke at a stakeholdersโ interactive session held at the EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
He was received by the Southwest Zonal Director, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, top officials of the agency, artisans, trade groups, religious leaders, among others.
The session, aimed at strengthening partnership and collaborative efforts with stakeholders in the fight against corruption, had in attendance the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), led by its Chairman in Oyo State, Mr. Waheed Olojede; Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its state Chairman, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu; founder of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke; state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Dolapo Dosunmu and members of the Corrupt Practices Eradication Organisation of Nigeria (COPEON).
Magu said: โThe EFCC will not, and does not engage in a witch-hunt. Our activities are in line with international best practices. In all we do, we are guided first by the fear of God and patriotism to our fatherland and the rule of law. I will continue to discharge my duties by the fear of Almighty God, the overriding interest of our fatherland, Nigeria and the rule of law.
โIt is pertinent for all of us to see ourselves as stakeholders in this fight. We must strive to achieve the Nigeria of our dream, one which our children and generations unborn will be proud of.
โFor us at the EFCC, we are driven by courage, integrity and professionalism and our commitment to the common task of improving the lot of our people at the grassroots, as we promote working partnership with all of you. Corruption is the number one problem that has militated against the development of Nigeria, especially the poor at the grassroots. The havoc corruption has wreaked on the economy is, no doubt, endless.
โThis is why fighting it to a standstill is not only a must, but also the only lifesaver for our country, to save the next generation. I want to restate for the records that there is no better time to prop up the anti-corruption campaign than now. There are ways of fighting corruption, which is to sensitise, create awareness and all that. But I am telling you, the looting must stop. We should not glorify the corrupt. We should not appreciate the corrupt. The ill must stop in the interest of our future generation. We have to find a way to protect their future.โ
