The acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, on Wednesday assumed office, with a pledge to fight corruption head on.

Magu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police,  took over from Ibrahim Lamorde, with whom he has worked closely since the inception of the anti corruption agency.

The new helmsman, who made the pledge at the formal handover ceremony held at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, charged all staff of the commission to brace up for fresh and greater challenges in the arduous task of combating corruption.

He declared his resolve to succeed in running the EFCC and hailed the founding fathers of the agency.

“I want to state our resolve not to falter on the well-established tradition of patriotism, dedication, courage and fearlessness, and we will take this responsibility with utmost seriousness that it deserves.”

He stated that this is the best moment in time for the anti-corruption campaign, adding that “corruption cannot co-exist with any meaningful development, as such must be fought to a standstill.”

Magu assured that he will be a listening leader and one that will be responsive to staff welfare and development, vowing that he would work readily and willingly with everybody “without any primordial concerns.”

Well known as a no-nonsense investigator, the new EFCC chairman said that the agency will intensify its war against corrupt public officials and declared a zero tolerance for indiscipline,  abuse of office or any act of corruption.

He lauded Lamorde’s legacy and wished him the best in his future endeavours while praising the agency’s management for its commitment in the sustenance of its objectives.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Lamorde charged staff to be patriotic and desist from mudslinging.

“As a human being, you have the right to disagree with someone, but if you disagree with your leader approach him yourself, instead of going out there to grumble, he admonished.