EFCC
Press Release
Former Attorney
General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN) has urged
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to be resolute in its
efforts to rid the country of economic and financial crimes.
Agabi, who was a special guest
at the anti-graft agency’s maiden “Rewards and Recognition” ceremony held at
the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja, on Monday, December 22, 2014, noted that
building Nigeria was a collective effort, and EFCC had a pivotal role to play.
He said, “Our country is ours to
build, and you are in the remarkable position, having been appointed to
investigate and prosecute all those who undermine that work through corruption.
“Our laws are not
self-enforcing, they require good men and women to enforce them, and you of the
EFCC are the good men and women that the nation has appointed to see to the
enforcement of our laws.”
Agabi, in whose tenure as AGF
the Commission was established in 2003, expressed delight that the EFCC, which
though faced teething problems at its inception, had grown to become an
institution of repute within and outside the country.
No fewer than 306 staff
members of the EFCC were honoured at the ceremony for serving the Commission
meritoriously in various capacities.
While 87 of the awardees were
pioneer staff, 161 staff members were celebrated for meritoriously serving the
Commission for the past 10 years.
Other categories of awards
include: Commendable Achievements, 34; Outstanding staff, 10; Noteworthiness,
5; Award for Meritorious Service Ex-staff Category, 7; Award for Outstanding Performance,
Ex-staff Category, 2.
Lagos
Zonal office received commendation for being a model and distinguishing itself
by securing the most number of arrests and successful prosecutions in court.
In his opening remark titled
“We are called to serve”, Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde described the
ceremony as 11 years in the making. He said that right from inception, the
Commission took a conscious decision to be different; thereby throwing a
challenge to chart a totally new path in law enforcement in Nigeria.
“Consequently, we have set a very high
standard for our staff, not only at the point of entry, but also in the
discharge of their duties and for them to continue to stay employed with the
Commission”, Lamorde said.
He added that, “The EFCC that only a few were willing to give a fleeting
chance of succeeding eleven years ago, is today an institution of reckoning in
law enforcement, with operations, partnerships and influence stretching across
and beyond the African continent.”
According to Lamorde who said
the reason for the gathering was to say “thank you” to former and present
staff, friends and stakeholders who have distinguished themselves in their
varied contributions to EFCC collective aspirations, “we are also here to
remind ourselves that as far as the EFCC is concerned, anything less than
excellent is unacceptable”.
Former
EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, who was returning to the EFCC for the first time
after his exit was also one of the awardees.
He said he doesn’t believe
that there is an institution in Nigeria
that has given hope and still gives hope to Nigerians than the EFCC. “We
believed we have clean hands and therefore we can clean the dirty faces of
Nigerians”, he declared.
Describing the event
as a joyous moment, Ribadu admonished staff of the Commission to be steadfast
in their commitment to the fight against corruption. “The EFCC remains my family, and no matter how
long, your good efforts will be rewarded, don’t worry, continue to do your job
no matter the circumstances, and you will surely be rewarded,” he said.
He also used the opportunity to appreciate former President Olusegun
Obasanjo, Mr. Femi Falana, General Aliyu Gusau, and late Gani Fawehinmi, for
believing in the vision of the EFCC to rid the country of economic and
financial crimes.
Mr. Abdullahi Yola,
who is permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, described the EFCC as an
institution of great relevance in reshaping the image of Nigeria among
the comity of nations.
He said, “The EFCC has
undoubtedly proven to be a capable instrument in achieving good governance in Nigeria.”
To Emmanuel Akomaye, pioneer
Secretary to the Commission, the work of the EFCC is not like any other. He
said “the EFCC demystified the concept of big man. The EFCC either took justice
to the corrupt or bring the corrupt to justice”. He admonished the officers not
to despair or be frustrated in spite the attack as he likened corruption to a
bigger monster In Nigeria.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head,
Media & Publicity
22nd
December, 2014
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