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‘We’ll Go After Those Keeping Looted Funds Abroad’ – EFCC Vows

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1 year ago

Dec 10, 2023.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede, declared yesterday that there was no more hiding place for public fund looters.

He said every stolen fund would be recovered to develop the country’s social systems.

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Olukoye spoke during a Road Walk in Abuja to mark the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day.

He said the commission would fight corrupt elements in the country to make room for growth and development.

He also expressed readiness to approach the international community for the recovery of stolen funds kept abroad.

He said the EFCC would go after those keeping looted funds abroad.

The agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, quoted Olukoyede as saying: “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 words to all the gate- keepers of our finances in Nigeria that we are going to work with them. Every money that is released, we are going to track them.”

He said the nation’s anti-corruption mandate was being refocused to stimulate growth and development in all the sectors of the economy.

Olukoyede added: “We are refocusing 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: UNCAC@20: Uniting the World against Corruption, Olukoyede said the whole world must come together to fight corruption .

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”.

He asked Nigerians to show more support for the government.

He said President Bola Tinubu was ready to promote businesses and public good.

Police Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun, who was represented by the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Haruna. G. Garba expressed delight with the Road Walk.

He described 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 annex 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.

He said: “I want to assure you that the Nigeria Air Force stands with you to fight corruption through prevention, enforcement and coordination”.

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 Road Walk was 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, emphasized 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.