EFCC kicks against amnesty for treasury looters

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday
opposed the proposed legislation which seeks to grant amnesty to
looters of public treasury in the country.

The Secretary to the Commission, Mr Emmanuel Adegboyega made its
position known in Abuja at the opening of two-day capacity building
seminar with the theme: ‘Economic and financial crimes,
anti-corruption, fiscal responsibility and good governance,’ for
states and local government officials held at the National Assembly
complex.

Adegoyega said that the Commission had discovered that less than
10 per cent of Nigerians working in the public service were
responsible for the looting of government resources, adding that
the private sector could only be influenced when transacting with
the public servants.

He pointed out that the proposed amnesty would not be in the
public interest and as such the law should be allowed to take its
due course on the treasury looters in accordance with the law of
the land.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on
Financial Crimes, Honourable Kayode Oladele, had emphasized the
need for public enlightenment in the bid to prevent corruption.

According to him, “The mission statement of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission is to curb the menace of corruption
that constitutes a hindrance to good governance, economic
development and foreign direct investment, to also develop the
right mindset and attitude amongst Nigerians as well as contribute
to the global war against economic and financial crimes and
terrorism financing.

“In line with the legislative agenda of the 8th Assembly of the
House of Representatives and in a bid to contribute to the
anti-corruption crusade of the present administration, the House
Committee on Financial Crimes is organising a training program for
state and local government officials in Nigeria in collaboration
with the EFCC.

“This is because the lack of understanding of the provision of
the law against the commission of economic and financial crimes and
corrupt practice is a major factor for high level of corruption in
the country.”

He expressed optimism that the seminar will accord participants,
information on the implication of corruption on the economy and
national wellbeing as well as salient provisions and penalties of
specific anti-corruption laws in the country such as EFCC Act, ICPC
Act, Public Procurement Act, financial responsibility Act, among
others, with a view to reducing public sector corruption while
ensuring effective and efficient management of public funds.

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday
opposed the proposed legislation which seeks to grant amnesty to
looters of public treasury in the country.

The Secretary to the Commission, Mr Emmanuel Adegboyega made its
position known in Abuja at the opening of two-day capacity building
seminar with the theme: ‘Economic and financial crimes,
anti-corruption, fiscal responsibility and good governance,’ for
states and local government officials held at the National Assembly
complex.

Adegoyega said that the Commission had discovered that less than
10 per cent of Nigerians working in the public service were
responsible for the looting of government resources, adding that
the private sector could only be influenced when transacting with
the public servants.

He pointed out that the proposed amnesty would not be in the
public interest and as such the law should be allowed to take its
due course on the treasury looters in accordance with the law of
the land.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on
Financial Crimes, Honourable Kayode Oladele, had emphasized the
need for public enlightenment in the bid to prevent corruption.

According to him, “The mission statement of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission is to curb the menace of corruption
that constitutes a hindrance to good governance, economic
development and foreign direct investment, to also develop the
right mindset and attitude amongst Nigerians as well as contribute
to the global war against economic and financial crimes and
terrorism financing.

“In line with the legislative agenda of the 8th Assembly of the
House of Representatives and in a bid to contribute to the
anti-corruption crusade of the present administration, the House
Committee on Financial Crimes is organising a training program for
state and local government officials in Nigeria in collaboration
with the EFCC.

“This is because the lack of understanding of the provision of
the law against the commission of economic and financial crimes and
corrupt practice is a major factor for high level of corruption in
the country.”

He expressed optimism that the seminar will accord participants,
information on the implication of corruption on the economy and
national wellbeing as well as salient provisions and penalties of
specific anti-corruption laws in the country such as EFCC Act, ICPC
Act, Public Procurement Act, financial responsibility Act, among
others, with a view to reducing public sector corruption while
ensuring effective and efficient management of public funds.