EFCC Press Release
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
26th
November, 2014
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