The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has charged Nigerians to be forthcoming with credible intelligence on corruption and financial crimes to the Commission.
This call was made by the Uyo zonal head of the EFCC, Mr. Uchenna Edeh. He made the call in Uyo during a live programme on Inspiration 105.9 FM.
According to Edeh, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was established to serve Nigerians and the people of Akwa Ibom State are not exempted. There’s a need for them to know that the EFCC is for them, not against them. People in the zone must realise that they have unfettered access to the Commission, and should utilise same, by sharing useful information on economic or financial crimes related matters, by way of petition, to the Commission.”
He regretted that the people of the state are not making the most of the presence of EFCC’s zonal office in their domain, noting that, “They hoard information from the Commission, and instead of reporting people that their lifestyles are not commensurate with their known source of income, they celebrate them.”
He urged every Nigerian and Akwa-Ibom people in particular to key into the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes and own it.
In a similar development, Edeh assured the management of Planet Radio 101. I FM Uyo, of a sustained collaboration in the area of the Commission’s anti-corruption advocacy and sensitisation efforts.
He gave the assurance on Friday, August 21, 2020, as he visited the radio station as part of his tour of media houses in the zone, aimed at strengthening existing working relationship in the fight against corruption.
He noted that the media was critical in winning the fight against corruption through its roles in the preventive measures of advocacy, sensitization and reorientation.
“For me, I believe it is always good to be proactive than to be reactive, because, if we get the younger ones right, we will have a better tomorrow. The job of the EFCC is not only to arrest, investigate and prosecute. We also educate people on what constitutes economic and financial crimes,” he said.
The zonal head expressed readiness to partner with the media, in carrying out public sensitisation on the ills of corruption in the state noting that “If our public office holders have decided to remain on the wrong part, the media sure has a role to play as well as the EFCC and other stakeholders.”
Mr. Samuel Enobong Akpan, general manager and Head of Station, Planet Radio 101. I FM, Uyo assured Edeh of maximum cooperation from the station, saying, “If you have any issue that you feel the public needs to hear, that you really need to talk about, feel free to inform us. We will always partner with you, our doors have been open to the Commission, and it will remain open”, he said.