It has come to the knowledge of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that some persons have been dropping the
name of its Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, and claiming that they have his permission
to ask for payments to secure the release of suspects under investigation by
the Commission. Some unsuspecting members of the public have fallen victim of
this scam and made huge payments to this syndicate.
The Commission warns the public to be
wary of the activities of these fraudulent individuals who have no relationship
whatsoever with Mr. Magu and the EFCC. “I have not mandated anybody to collect money
on my behalf from any person or organisation. It is not in my character to do
so otherwise I will not be in this office. I am contented with what I am paid
at the end of the month”, Magu said.
He called on members of the public, especially
relatives and friends of persons under investigation by the Commission to
quickly report any person who approaches them with a proposal to collect bribe
on his behalf for the release of their loved ones, to the Commission. “Anyone
caught trying to tarnish my hard earned reputation and integrity must be
prepared to face the music. I have accounts in three banks and, on no account
should anybody make lodgement into any of my accounts without my knowledge”,
the EFCC boss warned.
In recent weeks, there has been an upsurge
in the activities of scammers who parade themselves as having links with leadership
of the Commission and the capability to release suspects. Some of the scam
calls sent to members of the public across the country, conveyed the Commission’s
purported readiness to “play ball, release suspects as long as reasonable
settlement is arranged”.
Mr. Magu has promised that the Commission will discharge
its duties, “guided solely by the fear of Almighty God, the overriding interest
of our fatherland, Nigeria and the rule of law and not any pecuniary motive”.
The public are advised to report calls from suspected scammers and
forward the callers’ numbers to the EFCC via the following: info@efccnigeria.org, theeagle@efccnigeria.org. The Commission could
also be reached on the folowing hotlines: 09-9044571, 09-9044572, 09-9044573.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media &
Publicity
19th May, 2016
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