Revealing a significant statistic, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, shared that in the span of one year, the commission had accumulated a total of 14,000 petitions from the public.
In a statement released by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Tuesday, it was disclosed that the chairman made this revelation during a visit by the Special Envoy for West Africa, Dr. Charles Omini, at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
A firm believer in the proper management and accountability of resources, Olukoyede expressed the view that Nigerians should not have to endure poverty, emphasizing that Nigeria possessed abundant natural resources that could have propelled it to the level of prosperity enjoyed by America.
He reiterated the notion that combating corruption is not an unwinnable battle, urging all Nigerians to unify and collaborate with the EFCC in pursuit of good governance and a better future for all.
Quoting parts of the statement, “In the last one year, we have received over fourteen thousand petitions, credible petitions, fourteen thousand, within the space of twelve months.
“The war is winnable, there are some countries where their own cases were even worse than our own. Our associates in Singapore, Hong Kong told us they used to be worse than Nigeria, but we have gotten to that point where everyone will say let us come back to the discussion table and do the right thing. Everybody is now realizing that we have done ourselves so much evil. If all of us can come together, we will overwhelm them.”
He urged the envoy to heighten awareness about the detrimental effects of corruption on people’s rights to a good life and proper governance.
“Let people know that their rights have been violated, it is not about EFCC, it is about every one of us, let us collaborate more,” he emphasized.
Dr. Charles Omini, on his part, praised the EFCC for its relentless efforts in eradicating corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria.
“We have seen the level of impact. You stood very well to make sure corruption in Nigeria is reduced at all levels. Our first phase of partnership that has brought us here is for our strategic and technical team, the crusade you are carrying on, we are going to partner with you and make sure we take this crusade at every level to every Nigerian and beyond Nigeria, ” he commended.
Omini stressed the importance of safeguarding the rights of the EFCC and its personnel, proclaiming, “Part of our collaboration that brought us here today is to make sure we stand with you at all levels, that your rights and the rights of your officers and men are defended at all times.” The visiting group also presented an award to Olukoyede.