Avoid being used for partisan politics, Buhari warns EFCC

Commends commission for securing 2,220 convictions; recovering n152billion, $385million

By PAUL MICHAEL, ABUJA

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to avoid the temptation of being used for partisan politics or to settle personal disputes.

President Buhari gave the warning on Friday at the unveiling of EFCC’s Standard Operating Procedures, Policies and Manuals, at the State House, Abuja while urging the Commission to focus on serving the nation and entrenching good governance. The Trumpet gathered.

He further advised leaders and all operatives of the commission to resist the temptation of being influenced by political actors for personal gains.

He said, “I must advise the leadership and operatives of this Commission to resist the temptation of being used for partisan politics or be dragged into personal disputes.

“Your job is to serve the nation in its efforts to entrench good governance.’’

However, President Buhari commended the EFCC for securing 2,220 convictions within one year and recovering over N152billion and $385million.

He also commended the Chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, for efforts to further institutionalize the commission by developing 26 Standard Operating Procedures and 25 Policies and Manuals for the Departments, Units and Staff of the Commission.

“I am glad to note that the war against corruption, which is one of the cardinal objectives of this administration, is being strengthened.

“This is being done through the institutionalization of operational procedures particularly as they form the building blocks of transparency and accountability in administration and public expenditure.

Read Also: Ogun governor assures OGUNCCIMA of friendly environment

“I need not underscore the importance of today’s occasion but let me remind you that the stakes are high but national expectations are higher.

“Therefore, we must continue to strive and deal decisively with matters in accordance with the rule of law”, the President said.

The President called on other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), especially law enforcement agencies, to also ensure the standardization of their processes within the extant laws and regulations.

He said government would continue to accord all necessary support to MDAs in order to ensure the sustainability of the initiatives already commenced in actualizing the vision of a corruption-free society.

“Let me conclude by saying that the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians if we are to make meaningful progress as a nation.

“I invite you all to fight corruption in all its ramifications and join us to entrench good governance values and integrity within all our systems.

“As I have often said, ‘If we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us as a nation’.

“This is a confirmation of national efforts against graft.

“I understand from your remarks, Mr chairman, that these are the first collection of policy documents ever developed in the eighteen years of the Commission’s existence.

“These are indeed remarkable achievements and are very commendable,’’ he said.

According to the President, the development of the standards demonstrates the commitment of this administration to the fight against corruption and the acceptance of transparency and willingness to be subjected to scrutiny.

The President assured of a rules-based system in government business and the provision of the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

“You may recall ladies and gentlemen, that since we came into power in 2015, we have consistently demonstrated the necessary political will to fight corruption.

“We have ensured the operational independence of the anti-graft agencies, strengthened the legal framework, empowered the regulatory agencies and provided adequate funding to support the fight against corruption,’’ he said.

Earlier, the chairman of EFCC said the agency was undergoing various phases of reforms, including the production of the manual, to reposition it for the task of fighting financial crimes in the country.

He thanked President Buhari and the National Assembly for the confidence reposed on his ability and competence to take over the leadership of the organization.

Bawa said departments had been reorganized and upgraded, including intelligence gathering, training and the academic institutions, to meet the demands of the job.