The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday kicked off a new campaign tagged: “Clean Hands”, aimed at stamping out corruption from the society and encouraging Nigerians to imbibe the culture of integrity and honesty.
Acting Chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, in an address at the launching of the new campaign at the Eagle Square, Abuja, stated that in the past 13 years, the EFCC has successfully confronted looters of the nation’s commonwealth, tackled impunity and kept faith with its mandate and the expectations of Nigerians.
Also giving an account of his six months tenure, Magu said the that EFCC had recovered billions from corrupt persons, including hitherto untouchable high profile criminals, in the period.
‘‘In just six months of this year, we have secured over 140 convictions, including some elusive ‘high profile’ criminals. We have recovered billions of dollars’ worth of stolen funds and blocked numerous avenues of money laundering,’’ he said.
He added that the new strategies being employed by EFCC had enabled Nigerians to take direct ownership of the war on corruption.
‘‘Citizens are now more disposed to pre-emptively act against corruption; and where the act has been committed, they are willing to work with EFCC to fish out the criminals,” he observed.
The EFCC boss also urged Nigerians not to relent in mounting pressure’ on the commission in order for it to carry out diligent investigation and prosecution and to inform the people of its activities.
Also present at the event was the co-founder of the Transparency International, co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign and former Minister of Education Dr. Oby Ezekwesili.
She praised Magu and his team for their commitment in the fight against corruption and called on everybody to join in the anti-corruption campaign.
‘‘If any Nigerian is serious at all about the necessity for the greatness of nation, then, he or she must take the fight against corruption seriously. This is because the consequence of not taking the fight against corruption seriously is that the nation will forever be mortgaged,” the former minister stated.
Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes and Anti-corruption, Kayode Oladele, was also present at the event said that it was important to start the fight against corruption from the grassroots.
The EFCC “Clean Hands” campaign, kicked off with a walk by staff and management ofcommission, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members and other interest groups. It also featured match past and choreography by a number of primary and secondary school students in Abuja.
The event was held simultaneously in all EFCC offices across the country, including Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Ibadan, Enugu.