Press
Release
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Ibrahim Lamorde, Chairman, Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
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The
Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde has
reiterated the resolve of the Commission to partner with the civil society in
the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country.
Lamorde
made the assertion on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at the EFCC Academy, Karu
where the Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a network
of civil societies across the country, which effectively marks a re-launch of
its anti-corruption programme, formerly known as Anti-Corruption Revolution
Campaign, ANCOR.
While
noting that ANCOR which was launched in December 2008 provided a platform for
engagement of diverse citizen groups to key in and imbibe such positive virtues
like probity, integrity, modesty, etc, necessary for positive national change,
Lamorde however regretted that the programme was bedeviled with several
challenges.
“There
were for instance, cases of outright abuse of the programme by some of the
members who fraudulently procured vehicles, sewed their own uniforms,
opened their own offices where they received and investigated petitions,
interrogated ‘suspects’, and extorting innocent members of the public. The
Commission is currently prosecuting some of such unscrupulous for members of
ANCOR,” he stated.
The
new body that has now emerged from the ashes of the ANCOR is: Anti-Corruption
and Economic Crimes Support Network (ACE-Network).
Pledging
total commitment to the MoU, the EFCC boss said the Commission believes
community and public power are the most effective catalysts for initiation and
sustenance of the much needed ethical reforms in the country.
Speaking
on behalf of the CSOs, the Chairman of Network of Civil Society in Nigeria,
Suraj Olanrewaju who described the occasion as epoch making, said the MoU was
not just between the Commission and civil societies, but should involve the
Nigerian government and its people.
“There
is a concern about the situation of corruption in Nigeria, the effect on our
image among the international community is enormous and so, the fight against
corruption is beyond EFCC and government.”
He
stressed that the MoU is a critical independent engagement that will challenge
both the EFCC and CSOs to hold each other accountable by monitoring themselves
and exchanging positive criticisms.
Speaking
also at the occasion, a representative of the World Bank Country Representative
in Nigeria, Roland Lomme, said his organization is a critical partner in the
fight against corruption because of its belief that corruption has a direct
effect on development. He lauded the MoU, saying such interaction and
collaboration was necessary for meaningful result in the fight against
corruption.
“We
wish you luck and are keen on seeing practical result emanating from this
engagement.” he said.
Wilson
Uwujaren
Head,
Media & Publicity
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