EFCC urges youths to desist from financial crime, corruption

Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dr. Benedict Ubi, has advised Nigerians to desist from all forms of financial crimes, which he said is a prohibited conduct under the penal laws of the state.

Ubi, who described bribery and corruption as a cancer that destroys and kills millions, said: “The love for money is the root cause of these criminal activities.”

He made this known during the maiden national conference of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Prison and Hospital Ministry, where he added that people should be aware of and obey the laws that regulate human conduct in socio-political and economic sectors.

Meanwhile, the national chairman for prison and hospitality ministry, RCCG, Pastor Ariyo Popoola, said although the ministry had been for long, it officially began operations in 2016 to sensitise and train people on their roles and what is expected of them as prison and hospitality ministers.

He noted that the prison is getting better unlike in 1999 when prisons were a hell and there were fewer educational opportunities for inmates.

The national chairman, who disclosed that he was an ex-convict, said the ministry is doing a lot in the area of education, reorientation, rehabilitation and provision of healthcare, drugs and provisions among others.

He advised parents to look after their children, while he urged the government to provide a favourable environment for learning and employment, adding that the youths should take advantage of empowerment training.

An ex convict, Jide Odusanya, who was falsely prosecuted for robbery, narrated his ordeal spending 26 years in prison, with seven years awaiting trial. Odunsanya, aged 57, said he fought with someone but in the process got injured and was charged for arm robbery. He said while in prison, he wrote his General Certificate Examination (GCE) and is currently an undergraduate of Corporative Management at the National Open University (NOUN).

He advised youths to shun any act that would trigger anger in them, which may eventually lead to violence, while also soliciting for assistance to enable him pay his school fees and complete his education.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Lagos State command, Chika Oti, gave a talk on how to stay out of trouble and violence to avoid ending up in prison. He urged youths to be law-abiding and security conscious, as well as avoid any form of crime.