FG Set to Reposition EFCC, As the Agency Opens Office in Ibadan

FG Set to Reposition EFCC, As the Agency Opens Office in Ibadan
The federal government is to design a National Anti-Corruption Strategy to ensure institutionalization of results-based systems and structures as well as ensuring appropriate incentives for an increased participation of members of the society in the fight against corruption.
President Muhammadu Buhari gave this indication on Thursday, May 25, 2017 while speaking through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, at the official commissioning of the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He said there will be a review of the EFCC Act, to strengthen the agency in ridding the country of economic and financial crimes and halt frequent removal of the agency’s chairman.
“First and foremost, there will be a review of the EFCC Act, to strengthen the agency. The strategy would also ensure that the frequent removal of the chairman of the agency becomes a thing of the past.
There would also be emphasis on strengthening public education and awareness. Basically, the agency will be repositioned to function at par with its international counterparts in developed countries”, Buhari said.
He enjoined the public to support the present administration in its fight against corruption, which according to him had eaten deep into the fabrics of the country.
The president, while commending the EFCC for the successes recorded so far said the Commission’s presence in Ibadan would further aid the achievement of the goal of getting the citizenry involved in the fight against corruption.
In his welcome address, Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman, EFCC, acknowledged the strategic position of Ibadan in the history of Nigeria’s anti-colonial struggle hence the choice to make it the melting point at ensuring that the crusade against corruption is taking to the grassroots and make the Commission accessible to the people.
According to him, the Ibadan zonal office was created to encourage the citizenry involvement in the fight against corruption. He called for support and cooperation of all and sundry towards winning the war against all manners of graft.
“It is part of my vision to take the fight against corruption to the grassroots. We assure you that we shall not betray the trust and confidence reposed in us, both by the people of Oyo State and Nigerians across the states of the federation”, Magu assured.
Speaking at the event, the governor Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, called on Nigerians to join hands with the EFCC in the fight against corruption saying, “it is the greatest evil bedeviling the society”.
Ajimobi, while commending the initiative of the EFCC over its presence in the State said, it was important to always sensitize members of the society about the inherent danger of corruption.
He commended President Buhari for making the fight against corruption a cardinal focus of his government, and urged every Nigerians to key into the President’s mantra of, “if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us”.
The ceremony was attended by top government functionaries, Head of security agencies, civil society groups, traditional leaders, youths, women groups, members of the NYSC as well as stakeholders from diverse sectors.