EFCC Can’t Fight Corruption Alone, Says Magu

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, has said that the agency cannot fight corruption alone.

This is just as the EFCC boss extends the challenge of the anti-corruption fight to members of the organised labour, civil society organisations, and social media personalities, stressing the need for a united front in the anti-corruption war.

“The EFCC alone cannot fight corruption, it needs the support of everybody”, he said on Wednesday at a meeting with the stakeholders in Abuja.

“We’re calling on every Nigerian to join us, you can even return loot, face consequences then join us to fight corruption.”

Magu believes corruption is“the major problem holding back the development of the country, and the root cause of every evil bedeviling Nigeria”.

He said though EFCC has gotten to a level where nobody can stop the anti-graft agency in the fight against corruption, Nigerians “must realise that we are all stakeholders, and this fight is for the future generation,”

The EFCC boss called on the stakeholders to step up the fight against corruption, saying their efforts would go a long way in bringing back the desired change in the country.

He also informed of the Commission’s resolve to intensify the anti-corruption campaign, urging the stakeholders to “maximise the political will being currently enjoyed under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari”.

“Let us do the right thing and insist on it because change begins with you and me, from our household to our kids, place of work and beyond, by also living a life of integrity,” he stressed.

In his address, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, commended the anti-graft agency for its steadfastness in the fight against corruption.

Wabba said such efforts could only be successful if relevant laws were fully implemented, calling on the public to play their parts.

“All Nigerians must play their roles because EFCC can only do its best,” he said.

“But we must support the agency, and the law should take its course; policies should be strengthened and punishment must be meted out in good time.”

Former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Joe Abah, also commended the EFCC for taking the gauntlet in the anti-corruption war.

“EFCC is a strong institution and it is the same institution that has produced credible leaders from inception,” he said.

On his part, a lawyer and politician, Dan Nwanyanwu, stressed the importance of giving the anti-graft agency the necessary support.

“Every right thinking Nigerian must support every effort being carried out by the EFCC to recover our stolen money and our patrimony,” he said.