Anti-Corruption War: EFCC Sets For Showdown In A’Ibom … Civil Society Joins The Fight

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By UbongAbasi Ise

Akwa Ibom State may no longer be a safe haven for the corrupt as the Uyo Zonal Office of Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, commences arrangements to intensify corruption war, bringing the state civil society organization to the fray.
The anti-graft agency and Akwa Ibom State civil society organization under the umbrella of EFCC/Akwa Ibom State Civil Society Organization Anti-Corruption Coalition, weekend, held a meeting in Uyo, deliberating on ways to achieve strong partnership in combating and preventing economic and financial malpractices in the state.
In his remark, Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, the EFCC Head of Operations of Uyo Zonal Office, underscored the importance of the civil society in promoting governance, accountability and transparency while stating the need for EFCC to liaise with the members of Akwa Ibom civil society as this would help the commission get familiar with the state’s terrain.
Chukkol revealed that since the law enforcement agency commenced operation in Uyo zonal office on 8th August, 2017, there has been tremendous response in the fight against corruption judging from the vast number of petitions the commission received from the members of the public.
He said that after looking into the petitions, the commission is now at the next stage of investigation, which would see a lot of corruption cases being taken to court.
While noting how investigations usually take processes and time, Abdulkarim Chukkol said EFCC is building momentum in Akwa Ibom State for about six months after the establishment of its office in Uyo, and would soon take anti-corruption war to the next level.
Chukkol revealed that EFCC has now taken some cases of corruption to court, and has intercepted the hoarding of about 150,000 litres of fuel, including seizure and forfeiture of tankers used in the illegal business.
He called on people in the state to have confident in EFCC as the commission is giving privilege of anonymity to cover the identity of those that bring in petitions.
Also speaking at the meeting, Mrs. Theresa Nwosu, the EFCC Head of Public Affairs at Uyo Zonal Office, suggested that effort should be made by the coalition in taking the message to the people. She underscored the involvement of schools, EFCC training at the NYSC orientation camp, and capacity building of partners in the preventive strategic programs of the anti-graft agency.
Barr. Clifford Thomas, one of the members of the civil society organization who spoke at the meeting, said Akwa Ibom has its own peculiarity, and the EFCC may not succeed in the state without involving the civil society in the anti-corruption crusade.
Thomas said that for civil society organization to make effective contribution in the war against corruption, they must earn the confidence of EFCC. He further called for a very strong and formidable partnership between EFCC and the civil society organization saying that this would contribute to a huge success in suppressing corrupt practices in the state.

Source: The Sensor Newspaper

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