The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has said the South East Zone must fully embrace the Whistleblower’s policy of the Federal Government as it will help in the recovery of public funds.
South-East Zonal Head of the Commission, Usman Imam disclosed this at the end of a rally held as part of activities marking the 2019 International Anti- Corruption Day with the Theme: Zero tolerance for Corruption.
According to him, the need to embrace the policy is even more critical now than ever before as the zone has been rubbished by a high level of cyber-crime perpetrated by vibrant Nigerians.
He said it has been observed that massive global corruption, especially in developing countries, has drastically affected the realization of the developmental goals, adding that if nothing is done, the 2030 sustainable development goals might not be achieved.
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He blamed the increasing rate of corruption on the culture of impunity and the seeming powerlessness of everyone over the years.
He explained that the theme for this year’s event would not have come at a better time than now when there is an urgent need to tackle the menace of Corruption which has had negative effects on the socio-economic well-being of the country.
He regretted that corruption has contributed over 70% to the country’s terrible economic situation when juxtaposed with its Gross earnings.
“As we speak, Nigeria remains the poverty capital of the world because Corruption denies not only citizens their basic rights and access to basic amenities but also erodes people’s trust in the justice system and in the legitimacy of political and eco comic systems,” he said.
On some successes recorded by the commission, he said that 111 convictions have been obtained against 14 convictions in 2018, with over 230 cases still ongoing in various courts across the Zone.
“There is also the recent high profile fin forfeiture of a 1.5 billion state-of-the-art 200 bedded hospital, Dew of Hope Hospital at Owerri linked to an aide to the former governor, Rochas Okorocha,” he said.
In his address, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi commended the efforts by the Commission in the zone in tackling the menace of Corruption.
He said the efforts were in line with the resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight against all acts of economic and financial crimes.
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