Remain Resolute in Corruption War, Jagaba Tells EFCC

Chairman, House of Representative’s Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, not to relent in its varied efforts to rid the country of economic and financial crimes, but to instead, focus on adding vigour to its activities.

While commending the anti-graft agency during its budget defence before the committee members on March 10, 2015, Jagaba also commended the Commission’s achievement in securing 126 convictions in 2014, a significant increase from 117 convictions recorded in 2013.

“We’re happy with the way you’re carring out your duties, and we know the huge responsibility you are saddled with, and we know your varied efforts to boost Nigeria’s image in the international community, but we urge you to do more particularly in making your efforts manifest to the world through the international media,” he said.

Jagaba who used the platform to assure the agency of its support in the war against corruption further urged it not to be deterred in its concerted efforts of investigating and prosecuting corrupt individuals.

Making reference to what he termed “high-profile” cases, he said, “Where concrete evidence exists, do not hesitate to prosecute, so that the world will know you’re working, because we support EFCC’s efforts to make Nigeria proud.”

While presenting a budget proposal of N9, 479,748,795 the EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde, assured the committee of its determination to execute its war on corruption without fear or favour.

“On the issue of high profile cases, we have the strong will to prosecute, but we observed that many of those being prosecuted appeal over everything.”
Lamorde gave the breakdown of the proposed budget, to include N8, 937,549,019 for recurrent expenditure, and N542, 199,776 as capital element.

Jagaba commended the agency for its prudency in implementing its 2014 budget but urged the EFCC boss not to joke with staff welfare.

“Make your staff happy as this would go a long way to boost their morale and in turn have impact on your activities,” he said.

The committee, whose other members include, deputy chairman, Emmanuel Udende, Warman Ogorisa, John Dyegh, Nathaniel Agunbiade, Sani Ibrahim, Abdullahi Badan, Adeoba Johnson and Nasir Sule, assured the EFCC of its support to ensure the timely completion of its head office building.

Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
10th March, 2015