21st October 2024
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reacted to calls for it overhaul, explaining that those fighting against the agency are “feeling the heat of the work” of the anti-graft agency
The commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this on Monday morning during live interview on a Television programme.
16 government has taken anti-graft agency to Supreme Court challenging its legality. The suit was initiated by the Kogi state government and joined by Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross River and Niger state
A seven-member panel of justices, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, on Tuesday, fixed October 22 for a hearing.
Agbakoba SAN, believes that EFCC was “unconstitutionally established” due to growing public concerns on the conduct of anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, with many questioning whether these institutions are adhering to their mandates or operating with unchecked powers.
On the other hand, Falana, who appeared on television program, advised the states that rather than challenging the legality of EFCC, they should seek measures to ensure that the agency is not used as a tool for witch hunt by government.
Uwujaren, who highlighted the significance of the commission, stated that it is crucial to Nigeria’s fight against corruption it is on top of it.
According to him, “We are really shocked by what is happening. Nigerians should see through this shenanigan and oppose it because I don’t see how this country can survive without the EFCC, given the kind of corruption problem that we have. Nigeria cannot do without the EFCC.
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“I am worried that, with the kind of problem we have with corruption in this country, some people would go to court to challenge the legality of the EFCC. For citizens in their states, I am not sure that the EFCC is their greatest problem. I doubt that this is the case. What you see playing out is simply people who are feeling the heat of the work of the EFCC and who want to derail what is going on within the EFCC.
“They see the EFCC as a threat, and purely that is what is playing out. I think Nigerians can see through the gimmick of those who are behind the challenge to the legality of the commission,”
The EFCC official questioned the motive behind those calling for the overhaul and seeking to “derail” the commission’s anti-corruption fight and wondered why.
“So, people who are concerned about transparency and accountability will wish for the EFCC to be ‘killed’. Let me use the word ‘killed’ because that is the agenda.
“They simply want to derail the fight against corruption because they don’t want accountability in their domains.”
