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The New Face OF EFCC By Saliu Iyanda Before the coming on board of Mrs. Farida Waziri as the chairperson of EFCC, there were plethora of insinuations that, she was particularly picked to systematically compromise the integrity and credibility of EFCC, kill the anti-graft agency, shield corrupt people, especially ex-governors from prosecution and put paid to high profile corruption cases. These sponsored groups made a lot of needless boisterous public show and unwarranted demonstrations to ensure that her appointment is not confirmed. But since Waziri became the EFCC boss, she has gone about her duties with all the seriousness it deserves. There is no doubt there is a democratic wind of change in EFCC. Waziri has not attracted undue media presence to herself, she has not frequent media houses to cast aspersion on the integrity of people before their trial, as was the modus operandi before now. She has not wantonly violated the fundamental human rights of suspects by detaining them indiscriminately and ad infinitum. What obtains now is that, suspects are duly invited for questioning, they are thoroughly investigated and if anything is established against them they are summarily charged to court. It is therefore very obvious that the rule of law, due process and constitutionalism are strictly adhered to. Hence, it can be reasonably argued that this is a dawn of new era in EFCC. One would have expected that those that opposed the appointment of Waziri and had been hitherto obstreperous would have been kind enough now to be objective and commend her for pragmatic strides. Not only has the tempo of fighting corruption been sustained, it has been done with recourse to laid down rules and regulations, and without unnecessary distractions. EFCC has continued to take people in and charge them to court, while investigating several other cases in a very professional manner, and if latest media reports about the Commission’s plans are enough guides, I am sure the next few weeks will lead it into new terrains, like the organized private sector, especially as it relates to the banking sector, recapitalization process, management of depositors funds, forex trading, money laundering, banks initial public offers and all forms of deals that are horrendous in the sector. This will be in addition to sharp scrutiny of the stock exchange, its operations, raising of capital by organizations in the last few years, insider trading, price fixing and other forms of under the table deals in the sector. So, the EFCC under Waziri ought to be commended for the way and manner it is carrying on, in the fight against corruption. It is also very imperative to underscore the determination of the Commission to bring up some ex-governors’ files and possibly charge them to court if anything untoward case is established against them. And, this is likely to generate some uproar as their supporters and those disgruntled elements who never wanted Waziri to be the chairperson in the first place would resort to some kind of propaganda and audacious mendacity to frustrate the plans of EFCC to actualize its mandate. They may want to use the ethnic card or religious bias as the fulcrum on which they would predicate their animosities. But the fact of the matter is that corruption, or better put, the fight against corruption has no ethnic or religious colouration. Corruption has no tribe, it has no religion. Corruption is dangerous to the political-economy of the Nigerian state. It engenders underdevelopment, emasculates the growth, development and progress of any country. It methodically frustrates all attempts to move forward, and ensures that a country is permanently rooted to the same spot for years or even progressively retards its fortunes. There is no federal character in the prosecution of corrupt officials. Corruption is so well entrenched in Nigeria that it is more or less becoming the official policy of the state. The point is that corruption comes in different forms and types, but the bottom-line is that it must be identified and dealt with decisively. In fact, it has been pointed out that, “important development projects may be initiated for wrong reasons; they may be located in places where they are least beneficial economically on account of political considerations. We are all too familiar with cases where important contracts and licenses have been given to politically significant people who are unable to execute them successfully or who sell them to other contractors in circumstances which defeat the national interest. Sometimes, well paid positions are created just to give jobs to people whose political support is considered important; the country pays for no service rendered; worse it pays for nuisance value. In some cases people are overpaid for what they do in order to keep them happy, creating demoralizing disparities between reward and effort”. Hence, it is important to note that, those who have turned abusing and condemning Waziri into a profession should put on their thinking cap and turn a new leaf. They should find some more useful things to do, the war against corruption is not a one man’s job, it is indeed the collective responsibility of the Nigerian people. And, this they can do by acting as whistle blowers, and giving useful information to EFCC. This will help in no small measure to fight corruption to a standstill in Nigeria. The fight against corruption is not a tea party; it is a very serious national matter that needs the attention and cooperation of all Nigerians. Indeed, all hands must be on deck. It is important to point out that, instead of vilifying Waziri, she should be encouraged, so that, she can settle down very well and give her best to her fatherland. Right now, she is working assiduously and conscientiously to re-organize the anti-graft agency, so as not to make it a personality cult of few individuals, who think they are semi-gods, but a genuine national institution that can truly stand the test of time. |