By Matthew Don
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it has secured 113 convictions nationwide in the first quarter of 2017.
But the Commission is silent on the calibre of persons convicted and the nature of cases associated with them.
Many high profile cases involving politicians who stole billions of Naira through different guises who are being tried in different courts across the country are yet to be convicted, making Nigerians to wonder if the EFCC is still relevant.
But the Commission said it is on course to deal with corrupt Nigerians and that nothing will stop their convinction.
The Acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu made the disclosure on Friday, June 30 at an interactive meeting with stakeholders, mainly civil society members in Ikoyi, Lagos
Magu said the feat was made possible by the contributions and support of stakeholders, just as he vowed not to spare the corrupt despite the prevailing encumbrances.
Said Magu: “We will not fail to bring to book those who have corruptly stolen our commonwealth and thereafter organised to destabilise the anti corruption initiatives. I will not relent, I will fight… for the interest of our citizens and our children’s future.”
The EFCC boss who observed that corruption was at the root of recent separatist agitations in parts of the country, urged for the joining of forces by all patriots to defeat the tendencies, adding, “we all have a stake in the peaceful co-existence of this nation.”
Civil society leaders who spoke at the forum called on the EFCC to improve its prevention awareness campaign by creating communication strategies that will motivate the masses to join the anti corruption crusade.
Malachy Ugwumadu, president Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), described the anti corruption fight not only as a class struggle, but a war that must be won by the people.
“This is a class struggle between the political elite and those of us fighting to rescue the soul of our society. The battle may be lost if we don’t reorganise and focus on the people who seem confused due to manipulation by the corrupt few.”
Jiti Ogunye, lawyer and human rights activist, acknowledged the challenges confronting the anti corruption agencies especially the dangerous environment in which their personnel operate.
He sued for encouragement for all anti-corruption agencies in order to reduce the pressure on EFCC.
While calling for commitment and synergy among civil society groups, Dr. Joe Odumakin of Women Arise, said “this is not a day to agonise but to organise and put our strategies in focus. Enough of the diversionary tactics employed by those who hate the commission. We must put our house in order, and create more awareness in the communities on the dangers of corruption and how we can mobilise the common people for support.”
Other speakers, according to Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, who lent their voices to the campaign include Wahab Shittu, university lecturer and human rights lawyer; Foluke Michael, project coordinator, Creative Youth Initiative Against Corruption (CYIAC); Liborous Oshomah, human rights activist among others.