The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, said on Tuesday that the commission has secured more convictions than its sister agencies.
Mr. Magu, who was represented by the agency’s secretary, Emmanuel Adegboyega, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja at the project launch of “Law Enforcement and Public Engagement in Nigeria.”
The project was launched by CLEEN Foundation, and supported by the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria.
The event was held at Reiz Continental Hotel, Central Business District Area, Abuja.
Mr. Magu refuted claims that the anti-graft agency had secured only few convictions in its anti-corruption quest.
“The anti-graft agency has recorded more convictions than any other sister agencies in the country.
“EFCC does not have control over the court proceedings, the commission only investigates and charges suspects to court. We cannot teleguard the court; the court determines the verdict and that has always been the final”.
“This year, we had 340 convictions from various criminal cases. What happens in the court is beyond the power of EFCC,” he said.
Mr. Magu also described the extent of corrupt practices in Nigeria as “alarming,” but assured that the agency is equal to the task.
“The EFCC has a robust platform in collaboration with Interpol to track down corrupt persons,” he added.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, at the event, Habila Joshack, a deputy inspector general, explained the huge gap between the police and the public during prosecution of criminals.
“It’s true that we’ve not been blowing our trumpet; but you will understand that there has been no other time than now that you’ve seen the police opening up its activities to members of the public,” the police chief said.
He said the police are using social media platforms to communicate with the public.
“I agree that we have a lot to do, but you can see that we are on the right direction,” he said.
In his remark, Benson Olugbuo, the Executive Director CLEEN Foundation, spoke on the organisation’s activities.
“We do our advocacy in partnership with government, civil society and private sector,” he said.
“Our program cuts across different aspects of human security and we work specifically on achieving justice sector reform. We work under accountability and justice, we work on public safety and security we also do research at strategic development.
“Over the past 18 years, CLEEN foundation has engaged closely with the Nigerian Police Force. We also engage with EFCC and other security agencies including the military in various project in ensuring a better service delivery to the general public,” he said.
