Money Laundering: GIABA Lauds Magu Over Conviction Record

Money Laundering: GIABA Lauds Magu Over Conviction Record

The Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering In West Africa, GIABA, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for changing the narrative of the fight against corruption in the country with the improved record of convictions secured in the past years under the leadership of its acting Executive Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Lagos office of EFCC on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, Timothy Melaye, Information Manager, GIABA, Lagos, described the rate of convictions secured by the Commission under Magu as “unprecedented.”

He said; “I am quite impressed with the reports I received from the headquarters regarding the numbers of prosecutions and convictions that have been secured by the EFCC.

“It is very unprecedented. It is quite large and is one of the best that we have received in the region. We commend your efforts towards fighting corruption.”

Melaye further stated that the purpose of the visit was to sensitize the Commission on the activities of GIABA and also seek possible areas of collaboration and engagements that could strengthen the works of the Commission at its various zonal offices.

He added: “Today’s visit is part of our advocacy and engagements with stakeholders in all of our member states.

“We have built partnerships with various levels of leaderships of the EFCC, right from inception.

“We wish to state that it is very important for us not to limit our relationship only to the head office of the EFCC.”

Melaye, who stated that GIABA gave a $1million grant to the EFCC in 2013 for capacity building, expressed the readiness of the group to take the advocacy to all the zonal offices of the Commission, adding that “We are ready to support the Commission as much as we can to ensure that more staff benefit from the training.

In his response, Head of EFCC Lagos office, Akaninyene Ezima, who received the delegation on behalf of Magu, expressed his gratitude to GIABA for acknowledging the roles of EFCC in the fight against corruption.

He said: “The EFCC, under the acting Executive Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has been doing its best to discharge its statutory responsibilities.

“We thank you also for the assistance you are giving to us, in terms of training and funding.”