Avoid being dragged into politics, Buhari to EFCC

Following the uncommon feats, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has achieved within one year, President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja advises the agency not to get dragged into politics.

He told the anti-graft agency to be focused on insisting that there should be no escape route for corrupt elements.

Buhari spoke at the Unveiling of the EFCC Standard Operating Procedures, Policies and Manuals, at the State House, advised leaders and all operatives of the commission to resist the temptation of being influenced by political actors for personal gains or to score political points.

He said fighting corruption by the EFCC is service to the nation and entrenchment of good governance, noting that the excellent performance of the leadership of the EFCC in securing 2,220 convictions within one year and recovering over N152 billion and $385m was laudable.

He commended the commended the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, for efforts to further institutionalize the commission by developing twenty-six (26) Standard Operating Procedures and twenty-five (25) Policies and Manuals for the Departments, Units and Staff of the Commission, while appreciating the support of the Board, Management and Staff.

The President said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, these outstanding feats achieved are being unveiled today and I would like to use this opportunity to encourage other Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government, especially Law Enforcement Agencies to also ensure the standardization of their processes within the extant laws and regulations as provided in our statutes.

“I need not underscore the importance of today’s occasion but let me remind you that the stakes are high but national expectations are higher. Therefore, we must continue to strive and deal decisively with matters in accordance with the rule of law.

“On the part of the Government, we shall continue to accord all necessary support to MDAs in order to ensure the sustainability of the initiatives already commenced in actualizing our vision of a corrupt free society.

“Let me conclude by saying that the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians if we are to make meaningful progress as a nation.

“I invite you all to fight corruption in all its ramifications and join us to entrench good governance values and integrity within all our systems. As I have often said, “If we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us as a nation.”