EFCC on Eagle’s wings

SIR: It is a known fact that when you fight corruption, corruption fights back – or how do we explain the recent fraud of a protest supposedly organised by some civil society organisations to cast aspersions on the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by paying individuals to carry placards; some of whom did not even know why they were protesting nor could they articulate most of the writings on their cards.

This behaviour is probably not new to the EFCC. In fact, abuse and paid protests have been the order of the day whenever politically exposed persons are being prosecuted but the EFCC must never be cowered into submission to the dictates of any individual, group of individuals or body corporate who are intent on damaging the image and hard earned reputation of the Commission.

The EFCC as we know is the only acronym that gives looters and corrupt persons sleepless nights and sends chills down the spines of the fraudulent.

The activities of the anti-graft agency have led to Nigeria being removed from the list of uncooperative countries by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the EFCC now enjoys goodwill, collaboration and partnership with the likes of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and UK Metropolitan Police to mention a few.

President Muhammadu Buhari as a matter of urgency must strengthen the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies if the fight against corruption will be won.

It will be an arduous task but it remains achievable. It starts with strengthening the institutions, the judiciary, pushing for financial autonomy for the EFCC and ensuring staff welfare is paramount because fighting corruption on an empty stomach is counterproductive.

My humble advice to the President and fellow Nigerians is to allow the eagle to be true to its nature. Let the eagle fly alone. Its effectiveness, efficiency and glory lies in its independence.