The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said its commitment to fight corruption in the country has led to its largest single recovery of over 1.5 billion United States dollars from just one convict, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, former managing director/chief executive officer of Oceanic Bank.
Chairman of the commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri who disclosed this at a joint anti-corruption rally to mark International Anti-Corruption Day in Abuja stated further that the anti-graft body was also in the threshold of recovering over 500 million US dollars from some multi-national companies in Nigeria that had violated the nation’s laws.
NIGERIA SHOULD IMPROVE MORE ON VIOLATED LAWS
“What this tells us therefore is that the future of the anti-graft war in Nigeria is bright. What is paramount at this point is that with the committed leadership in place, we all as citizens need to plug in at various levels to support the war. This is the only support we can give to our nation and the future generations yet unborn. The progress we have made within this same period has not only attracted foreign support but has equally broadened our partnership base both locally and internationally,” Waziri noted.
Similarly, President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Peter Isele lambasted the members of both chambers of National Assembly, challenging them to declare to Nigerians their actual total emolument to prove Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wrong on his allegations of 25 percent budget cost.
Isele who was speaking against the backdrop that the fight against corruption in Nigeria was always hampered by those in public offices because of their vantage positions, carpeted majority of both arms of government for paying lip service to the war.
According to TUC boss, “let the members of National Assembly tell Nigerians their actual total pay package to prove Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi wrong. They are supposed to be our servants and not masters but today they see themselves as masters over the Nigerian people.
“The foundation for a better Nigeria depends on what the leaders impact on the people and children. But what are we seeing in our leaders today? Like the National Assembly impacting on our children today? Politicians are selfish and self centered people.”
“If the EFCC spotted any of them in office that he/she is corrupt, they will run to court and obtain an injunction to stop investigating him. How can we fight corruption this way? Not until we have strong and vibrant institutions in Nigeria that can function above selfish interest of individuals, nothing can work. All I know is that any society that operates a tax force on anything whatsoever, is a failed society and until we put a strong system in place where all come together to work, we cannot succeed,” he noted.
In a speech by representative of the United Nations System in Nigeria, Ms Dagmar Thomas called on business leaders worldwide to denounce corruption and to back their words with strict prohibition against it.
“They should adopt anti-corruption policies in line with the United Nations Convention and put in place the necessary checks to strengthen integrity and transparency. I also urge corporations to work more closely with the United Nations on this issue,” Thomas stated.
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