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Anti-corruption Watch Group, AcWaG, has advised newly appointed Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, chairman, Bar Ola Olukoyede, to address internal imbalance within the commission which has hobbled it’s fight against corruption making it lose relevance over the years.
The group advised Olukoyede to begin a targeted head hunting for individuals who understand the operational philosophy for which the commission was set up whether from inside or outside the EFCC to help him in the task ahead.
AcWaG made the call on Monday during a short media parley in Ilorin through it’s convener, Barrister Henry Olumuyiwa Abraham, at his Geri Alimi office, where he charged the EFCC to further rethink it’s strategy of fighting corruption.
“It is, our patriotic view at AcWaG, that the first task before Mr Olukoyede, the new EFCC Executive Chairman, is to seek out and select an inner crew of advisers, who share his values and are mentally and intellectually on the same page with the patriotic drive to ensure that the values and doctrines of the anti-corruption fight are not compromised,” the group stated.
They also advised the Executive Chairman to remain steadfast and strong, to rebuff any attempt by anybody from any quarter to intimidate, threaten or frustrate him.
“Doing the right thing will also include reversing all illegal imbalances regarding placement and promotion.
“We are delighted to quote the Chairman on his unhappiness with the dangerous dichotomy within the staff ranks which has been negatively affecting both operational and administrative success of the commission,” AcWaG said.
The group also commended some voices in the media and the media itself who have selflessly drawn attention to the problems bedeviling the commission.
The group, for instance, drew attention to an interview granted by one Barr. Shehu Bashir who, by way of introducing himself on recent television show as the author of the blueprint that morphed into the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption, headed by Prof Itse Sagey.
“We want to suggest that the new EFCC chairman consider appointing competent aides with clear understanding of the commission and the modern techniques of fighting corruption such as the type aptly displayed by Barr. Bashir,” AcWaG said.
The group also singled out the media for praise for drawing attention to the challenges at the EFCC.
“We take particular note of media-related views like a 21, July publication of Daily Independent Newspaper, with a cover choice titled ‘Rot, Imbalance In EFCC Exposed’.
“For those who followed that news story, the newspaper made a painstaking investigation of multiple allegations made against the agency in the viral open letter to President Tinubu on alleged imbalance, promotion racketeering, nepotism, and all manners of sleazy activities in the once respected and feared anti-corruption agency,” the group said.
AcWaG also commended President Bola Tinubu for effecting the change at the EFCC.
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