The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has pledged to lead a broad-based and holistic anti-graft war that would not spare anyone linked to economic and financial crimes.
Olukoyede mentioned that the current arraignment of two former governors indicated that the EFCC would deal with nobody as a sacred cow.
In January, the EFCC arraigned a former governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, for allegedly stealing the state’s safety votes to N4bn. In contrast, he was within the saddle as governor between 2014 and 2022.
Equally, the anti-graft company arraigned Abdulfatah Ahmed, the immediate past governor of Kwara State, on February 24, 2024, for alleged N10bn fraud.
On Monday, at an anti-corruption live performance in Abuja organised to sensitise the general public to cybercrimes, the EFCC Chairman reaffirmed his dedication to an all-embracing, fully integrated battle against corrupt practices.
An announcement by the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, quoted Olukoyede as saying: “We won’t spare anybody. We won’t spare the mega thieves. We may even do these on the decrease finish as we do the mega.
“Within the final two months, we now have arraigned two former governors. So, it’s not true that we’re solely targeted on Web fraudsters.
“After all, Web fraud is dangerous enough; however, our focus is on each type of financial and monetary crime.”
He cautioned youths against indulging in cybercrimes, declaring that the consequences of conviction were grave.
“Youths have to know that being ex-convicts has professional limitations. Ex-convicts can’t run for the public workplace; the stigma alone is even horrible.
“I urge you to avoid Web crimes. Your future is more vital than any instant benefits from such crimes,” he said.
Olukoyede mentioned the EFCC, under his watch, was deeply enthusiastic about giving youths an excellent and sustainable future.
To this impact, he mentioned a Cybercrime Analysis Centre was deliberating on the EFCC Academy.
“The centre will contain youths in in-depth analysis regarding the problem of cybercrime. Their energies will probably be deployed towards worthwhile engagements,” he mentioned.
Olukoyede charged the youth to embrace arduous work and diligence, stressing that the trail to success was arduous work and dignity.
“There’s dignity in labour. Let’s come together. We should all agree that corruption is evil. Don’t leave the struggle to the EFCC alone,” he said.
The Minister of State for Youth Growth, Ayodele Olawande, urged youth nationwide to help the EFCC in its campaign against financial and monetary crimes and other acts of corruption.
“Nigeria is meant to have progressed greater than this. We won’t enable corrupt individuals to destroy our future. That’s why we must unite and struggle with this evil in our society. That’s why we have to run this marketing campaign repeatedly. I’m satisfied that each one of us has a role to play. Without you, the EFCC may be able to do little or nothing.
“Let’s show the world that Nigeria’s younger people are determined to vary the narrative,” the minister said.
