EFCC plans procurement fraud unit, rights group pledges co-operation

GIVEN the magnitude of procurement fraud cases in the various government agencies in the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it plans to establish a unit soon to handle investigations in that sector.

Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, who stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, while receiving a coalition of civil society organisations on a courtesy visit, revealed in a statement that the unit would be known as Procurement Fraud Unit (PFU).

“I am so concerned about procurement fraud. I am thinking of establishing a Unit, purely on procurement fraud. When put in place, it will go a long way in checking corruption,” Magu was quoted to have said.
According to the EFCC boss, “The task of fighting corruption is herculean and should not be left in the hands of anti-corruption agencies alone. Your participation and support for the anti-corruption fight is key. Most importantly, I need your help to do the job. Let’s put heads together and move this country forward,” Magu said, seeking to enlist the cooperation of the CSOs in the fight against corruption.

Chairman, Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), Lanre Suraju, said they were in the Commission to congratulate the new Acting Chairman on his appointment and intimate him on areas, which the organization could partner with the Commission in fighting corruption.

It would be recalled that the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, had enjoined the EFCC acting chairman on Tuesday, that the commission should work harder to secure more quality convictions, pledging that the National Assembly would give necessary legislative backing to ensuring that the laws are reviewed to give a friendly environment for anti-graft agencies to do their work.