EFCC kicks against amnesty for treasury looters

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday opposed the proposed legislation which seeks to grant amnesty to looters of public treasury in the country.

The Secretary to the Commission, Mr Emmanuel Adegboyega made its position known in Abuja at the opening of two-day capacity building seminar with the theme: ‘Economic and financial crimes, anti-corruption, fiscal responsibility and good governance,’ for states and local government officials held at the National Assembly complex.

Adegoyega said that the Commission had discovered that less than 10 per cent of Nigerians working in the public service were responsible for the looting of government resources, adding that the private sector could only be influenced when transacting with the public servants.

He pointed out that the proposed amnesty would not be in the public interest and as such the law should be allowed to take its due course on the treasury looters in accordance with the law of the land.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, Honourable Kayode Oladele, had emphasized the need for public enlightenment in the bid to prevent corruption.

According to him, “The mission statement of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is to curb the menace of corruption that constitutes a hindrance to good governance, economic development and foreign direct investment, to also develop the right mindset and attitude amongst Nigerians as well as contribute to the global war against economic and financial crimes and terrorism financing.

“In line with the legislative agenda of the 8th Assembly of the House of Representatives and in a bid to contribute to the anti-corruption crusade of the present administration, the House Committee on Financial Crimes is organising a training program for state and local government officials in Nigeria in collaboration with the EFCC.

“This is because the lack of understanding of the provision of the law against the commission of economic and financial crimes and corrupt practice is a major factor for high level of corruption in the country.”

He expressed optimism that the seminar will accord participants, information on the implication of corruption on the economy and national wellbeing as well as salient provisions and penalties of specific anti-corruption laws in the country such as EFCC Act, ICPC Act, Public Procurement Act, financial responsibility Act, among others, with a view to reducing public sector corruption while ensuring effective and efficient management of public funds.