Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has made it clear that the Commission will bring to book, high ranking Nigerians who have always thought that thy are above the law in 2019.
“With 312 convictions in 2018, we are strategizing to redouble our effort in 2019, as part of our concerted efforts aimed at ensuring that the negative narrative of pervasive corruption in the system is changed for the better, and the perception that some persons are above the law, remains altered.”
Ibrahim Magu, who was speaking to officers today, Thursday in Lagos, said that Commission would continue to rid the country of economic and financial crimes and effectively coordinate the domestic efforts of the global fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.
He insisted that the Commission would continue to be committed to carrying out its duties “in conformity to best international practice within the ambit of the Law”.
He commended the exemplary leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, for the success recorded in the past year, even as he said that the Judiciary remains key to winning the corruption fight.
“Let us have it at the back of our minds that we are only prosecutors; without the support of the Judiciary, led by the CJN and other Heads of Court across jurisdictions, we could not have been able to achieve the much we did in 2018. Therefore, to be able to double that feat in 2019, let us know that we cannot do without the judiciary.”
He called for the unalloyed collaboration of other stakeholders, and urged Nigerians to be “more dedicated and determined in reducing corruption to the barest minimum”.