Tough Times Await Treasury Looters, EFCC Boss Vows

*NLC: Judiciary needs to show they are not aiding corruption with prolonged cases

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has vowed to tackle looters of public resources and other corrupt elements in Nigeria to make room for growth and development across the country.
This came as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) warned that the judiciary should show that prolonged cases in the courts were not designed to aid corruption.
Olukoyede said only professionalism and due adherence and commitment to the rule of law would ensure Nigerians’ contribution to the country’s economic growth.

According to a statement shared on the agency’s official X handle, the chairman made the vow yesterday in Abuja during a road walk held in commemoration of the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day, themed ‘Uniting the World against Corruption’.

Olukoyede was quoted as saying that the EFCC under his watch would not allow resources meant for economic growth and the greater good of Nigerians to be looted, adding that every stolen fund would be recovered to develop social systems in the country.

He further promised that the anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC is being refocused to stimulate growth and development in all sectors of the economy.
He said, “We are going to give sleepless nights to those stealing our money. We are going to remove opportunities for corruption. We are going to plug the loopholes. We are in the era of a new budget. We have sent word to all the gatekeepers of our finances in Nigeria that we are going to work with them. Every money that is released, we are going to track them.

“We are refocusing on the anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC. We will fight corruption to stimulate growth and development and remove all the threats to the progress of the nation.  We are tired of corruption in Nigeria.  Our youths must have job opportunities.”

On the theme of the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day, Olukoyede stated that the whole world must come together to fight corruption and expressed readiness to approach the international community for the recovery of stolen funds kept abroad.
He said, “Those who are keeping looted funds abroad are more corrupt than us. We are going to go after them. We will recover our funds and use them to develop our systems.”

The statement further read that the road walk was held in all the 14 zonal commands of the EFCC, as the one by the Abuja Zonal Command in Wuse district witnessed a massive turn out of Nigerians, including staff of the EFCC, civil society organisations, representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Police, Armed Forces, National Youth Service Corps, women groups, media and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Olukoyede has said that only professionalism and due adherence and commitment to the rule of law would ensure Nigerians’ contribution to the country’s economic growth.

Olukoyede disclosed this yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital during the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day.
The event was marked with a road walk by the men and officers of the commission across major streets of Ilorin to enlighten the residents of the state on war against corruption.
“Only through professionalism and adherence to the rule of law will the commission be able to contribute to economic growth by restoring investors’ confidence in our economy,” he added.
Represented by the Ilorin Zonal Chairman of the commission, Mr. Michael Nzekwe, the EFCC boss maintained: “Our focus makes it imperative for us to create conducive environments for job creation, opening of investment space across the country and improvement on our international image.
 “The EFCC is determined to work with the corruption prevention template recommended by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC 20) to fight corruption and other seeming threats to the nation’s economy.
“In driving this prevention focus, the commission under my watch will prioritise these focal areas: Collaboration and synergy with local and foreign law enforcement agencies, professionalism and strict adherence to rule of law as the absolute minimum in all activities of the commission.
“I want every EFCC operative to be more diligent and resourceful on our assigned tasks. My leadership will punish infractions traceable to unethical practices. We will ensure that the right things are done at all times.”
He called on Nigerians to show more support for the government, assuring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was ready to promote businesses and public good.
In his remarks, the Head, Country Operations, NLC, Comrade Uchenna Ekwe, said the judiciary must wake up to support the EFCC in the fight against corruption and show that it was not aiding corruption by prolonged cases in courts.
“We must support  the fight against corruption. At the root of pensioners troubles and non payment of salaries is corruption.
“The judiciary must wake up to support EFCC because if the judiciary is keeping cases for a long time it is supporting corruption. The judiciary must stand up to support he EFCC”, he said.
The road walk  which started at the Abuja Zonal Command of the EFCC in Wuse District  through some major roads in Maitama,  witnessed massive turn out of Nigerians from all walks of life,  including  staff of the EFCC,  civil society organisations,  representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC,   Police,  Armed Forces,  National Youth Service Corps, NYSC,  women groups,  media and other stakeholders.  
Amidst singing and dancing,  banners with different inscriptions condemning corruption were displayed by the crowd.  
The Inspector-General of Police,  Kayode Egbetokun, represented by  the Commissioner of Police,  Federal Capital Territory,  Haruna.  Garba, expressed delight with the road walk, describing it as a demonstration of renewed hope of progress in Nigeria.
“The road walk against corruption organised by the EFCC is a demonstration of a renewed hope that if we are able to fight corruption and other crimes in Nigeria,  it will be better for our country.  Nigeria has potential to be great.  
“These potentials are on the air, on the land and beneath the ground and if we harness them without corruption,  we will be able to provide  for our children and children yet unborn”,  he said.
The Chief of Air Staff , Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar,  represented by Group Captain Abdulahi Abu, expressed support for the EFCC in its crusade against corruption and called on every Nigerian to continue to support it to make Nigeria great. “I want to assure you that the Nigeria Air Force stands with you to fight corruption through prevention, enforcement and coordination”, he said.
The road walk also held in all the 14 zonal commands of the EFCC.  
In Benin-City,   the walk began at the Benin Zonal command office on Court Road, through Sapele Road,   Ring Road,  Oba Market Road, Obakhavere Road, Plymouth Road, Airport Road,  Ezoti street before terminating at the commission’s  office.
The colourful event had staff clad in T-shirts bearing various anti-corruption messages with corps members and  CSOs  carrying  banners with various inscriptions such as “Say No to Corruption,  It’s Evil,”  “Shun corruption,” “Stop Any form of Corruption” and a host of others.  
Speaking on behalf of Olukoyede, the Zonal Commander, Kanu Idagu said the theme of this year’s Anti-Corruption Day, emphasised  the need for collective efforts against the menace.
“All over the world, corruption is a threat to the growth and development of individuals and nations. No one is immune to the contagion of corruption which is why nations are united in finding solutions to the common ailment”, he said.
He urged the public to take ownership of the fight against corruption in Nigeria.