EFCC will welcome criticisms, says Magu

Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has stated the determination of the Commission to welcome criticisms from the public, stressing that every Nigerian is a potential stakeholder in the fight against corruption.

He stated this during an interactive session with some external lawyers of the Commission and other Civil Society Organizations.Magu who emphasized that the interactive session was to gauge public opinion about what the EFCC is doing.

He also used the opportunity to state some of the efforts of the agency to combat corruption.“For now, we are emphasizing on preventive measures in the fight against corruption. We are using all forms of medium to educate the people about the negative effects of corruption in the society and the need to fight corruption at all cost”.

He warned banks against aiding corruption by “accepting stolen money, saying, “the EFCC will not spare anybody because substantial reasons for the current economic recession is as a result of corruption and therefore, the Commission is determined to fight it”. He also promised that the agency is going to look at every aspect of corruption.

The EFCC Chairman also said the Commission is investigating the alleged $15,591,700 involving former first lady, Patience Jonathan.However, one of the lawyer present, Jiti Ogunye, urged the EFCC to be careful and sensitive about the issuance of statements like the one it issued before the rescheduled Edo State election that a particular PDP candidate is under investigation.

Ogunye said such statement has created the impression that the anti-graft agency is only working for the ruling party.Also speaking on the activities of the EFCC, Malachy Ugwummadu, warned the Commission against the growing concern about respect for the rule of law and admonished the need for the Commission to look into it.