The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has restated the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to liberate Nigeria from the clutches of corruption.
During the inauguration of the new Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, office complex, Fagbemi emphasized the vital role of the EFCC in realizing this vision.
He highlighted, “The EFCC is pivotal in the Tinubu administration’s plan to remove barriers to accountability in governance institutions and strengthen mechanisms and platforms for holding public officers accountable.”
Fagbemi characterized corruption as a scourge that has been undermining government reform efforts at all levels, increasingly disrupting family, economic, and social life.
He pointed out, “Economic and financial crimes have negative impacts on government’s developmental programs and policies at all levels, ultimately fueling insecurity and undermining gains from reforms in our economy’s key sectors.”
The minister urged the constituent states of the Federation, as well as the legislative and judicial arms of government, to join the fight against corruption and economic and financial crimes in Nigeria. He also stressed the need to ensure that the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, 2017-2022, is adopted and driven at the subnational level.
According to Fagbemi, “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritized the fight against corruption, economic, and other financial crimes through his key policy document: ‘Renewed Hope 2023 – Action Plan for a Better Nigeria’.”
He further emphasized the administration’s concern for the recovery and repatriation of Nigeria’s stolen wealth, stating, “the EFCC is expected to continue to lead the charge to trace, recover, and facilitate the return of our stolen wealth.”
In his welcome address, the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, called on the Commission’s officers to be unwavering in their efforts to clean up the business environment and support the country’s drive to attract Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, with a warning of no excuses for non-performance.
Offering a goodwill message, Kwara State governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who also chairs the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, emphasized that the fight against corruption “is a national campaign that we must all support, especially at institutional levels.”
