EFCC secures 172 convictions in 2018 ― Magu

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared that so far it has recorded a total of 172 convictions between January to date just as it called on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) connected to fighting corruption in the country to join hands with the Commission to achieve a corruption-free society.

The disclosure was made by the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, in Gombe on Monday at an event to mobilise the people to take ownership of the fight against corruption in the country.

Ibrahim Magu while addressing the gathering confidently declared that: “As I speak to you today, the EFCC has recorded over 172 convictions since the beginning of the year and we expect the figure to improve significantly before the end of 2018.”

The Anti-Corruption Agency chairman further emphasised that as a matter of necessity, every Nigerian should take ownership of the fight against corruption, adding that: “This is the right time to act in order to stem the tide of corruption as the 2019 general elections approach.”

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“As we move closer to the general elections where Nigerians will vote for the present government or a new leadership to take control of governance, it is time that we all must be vigilant. We all must be careful as citizens to ensure that only people with proven records of integrity are elected into offices,” he stressed.

Ibrahim Magu, therefore, called on all Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), religious organisations, traditional leaders and others to help in sensitising voters to only vote right and not to compromise saying, “voters should not fall into the temptation of selling their votes.”

According to him, voters must be educated to realise that their permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) represent the ticket for their future and a healthy living if they use it wisely.

Ibrahim Magu was in Gombe to mobilise the people to take ownership of the fight against corruption.