You Can’t Be Fighting Corruption And Be Corrupt – EFCC Boss

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, has warned officials of the agency to shun underhand dealings that can put the commission in a bad light.

He gave the warning on Monday at the EFCC Zonal office in Enugu State, where he urged the officials to see their work as a call from God to serve humanity.

“You cannot be fighting corruption and be corrupt,” Magu said in a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren.

“You must be committed to your work and not mind the temptations because we will not spare anyone who is corrupt,” he said.

The EFCC boss also advised them to always seek to learn from their superiors, saying nobody is a repository of knowledge.

Earlier before addressing staff members at the zonal office, he paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Ngozi Emehelu.

Magu noted that the EFCC remains committed to learning and being guided by judicial prefects to carry out its functions of ridding Nigeria of corruption.

He said: “We are here to thank you for all your support and also solicit for more, knowing that we are not above board and will constantly need directions and guidance in the work we do.”

The EFCC boss stressed further that the judiciary was instrumental to the achievement of the anti-graft agency, adding that its support would be highly needed for continued success.

He also called on Nigerians across the country to do the needful and join forces with the commission to move the nation forward positively.

In her response, Justice Emehelu lauded the visit of the EFCC boss whom she described as a formidable and hardworking man.

She also assured him that the judiciary was poised to support the anti-graft agency in its efforts at eradicating corruption from the country.

On the relationship between the commission and the judiciary, Justice Emehelu said: “The work we do and yours are very similar because they are service and public-oriented jobs that call for closer synergy between not just the EFCC and the judiciary, but also among other law enforcement agencies. We are ready and willing to support you but on the basis of mutual respect.”

Citing the judiciary as the balance between the legislature and executive, the Chief Judge said the need for a speedy trial of criminal cases cannot be over-emphasised, and that the judiciary was committed to effective justice delivery and speedy determination of cases.