By ICIR Nigeria
Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the crooks, rather than Nigerians, are the ones winning the battle against corruption.
Ribadu was speaking in Abuja on Saturday while responding to questions from journalists at the end of the 12th annual public symposium of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN).
“What is going on today is reinvigoration, a change that put corruption as number one priority of government. I want to salute those who are responsible for that. I totally agree,” said Ribadu, who chaired the symposium, themed ‘Anti-Corruption: The Role of Media as a Change Agent’.
“I appeal to all Nigerians to please, for God’s sake, think about our country, let’s make our own people the winner even if it means for once.
“The crooks have been winning. Those who are stealing our own money have been winning. Let’s turn it around and make Nigerians winners.”
He said the war against corruption had gone on well so far but it could be better.
“You also know and agree that things have changed,” he said.
“If you know the volume or the amount of money that we say today we have recovered, money stolen from individuals and groups, the money is with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). That tells you the story of what is going on today but we can still do better.”