EFCC Press Release
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim
Lamorde, has described the establishment of the Commission in 2003 by the
administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo as one of the major steps
towards the rebirth of the nation.
Lamorde stated that prior to the establishment
of the EFCC, Nigeria’s image in the international community had been dented
owing to economic and financial crimes perpetrated by some individuals and organizations.
He further said Nigeria had been synonymous with
money laundering, weak law enforcement and ‘419’ before the creation of EFCC,
adding that the citizens had been harassed at international ports of entry.
Lamorde, who spoke through the Deputy Director,
Public Affairs , Osita Nwajah, at the Induction Certificate Course newly
elected legislators, organized by the
National Institute for Legislative Studies, NILS, on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at
the International Conference Centre, Abuja, also noted that before the
establishment of the EFCC, Nigeria had been blacklisted by the Financial Action
Task Force, FATF, isolated and dishonoured from international businesses.
He, however, stated that the war against
corruption and other economic crimes by the EFCC contributed to the de-listing
of Nigeria from the FATF blacklist of Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories
(NCCTs).
Lamorde further highlighted the successes so far
recorded by the Commission to include “Robust enforcement of economic and
financial crimes, anti-money laundering law, routing of notorious ‘419’ and
engendering renewed inflow of Foreign Direct Investments.”
While stating that the EFCC’s mandate is not
limited or influenced by tribe, creed, status or affiliations, he said the
Commission had been actualising its mandate of nation-building through a number
of activities, including enforcement, receipt of complaints, investigation,
prevention, enlightenment and advocacy training.
He added that as an anti-graft agency, the EFCC
had also ensured restitution for victims of economic and financial crimes,
locally and internationally.
While answering questions on the issue of
plea bargaining, Lamorde, who lamented lack of insurance for staff of the
Commission in spite of the dangers associated with the job, described it purely
as a matter of judicial function.
According to him, most suspects often resort to
plea bargaining when confronted with volume of evidences against them.
“Most suspects don’t want to go the whole
hog. They change their pleas of not guilty to being guilty. It is
done all over the world. Therefore, if a suspect does not waste the time
of the court or waste tax payers’ money, it makes it possible for him or her to
resort to plea bargaining.”
Lamorde added that contrary to the impression in
some quarters, the EFCC does not have the power to dispose of properties
recovered from suspects until final forfeiture is granted by the court.
The induction course was organized by the NILS
to train and equip new legislators with the necessary knowledge and skills to
be effective in the discharge of their responsibilities as law makers.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
14th May, 2015
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