The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has vowed that those it described as “mega thieves” as well as internet fraudsters will not be spared in its present ongoing fight against corruption.
The anti-graft agency, which also disclosed that at least two former governors were arrested in the last two, maintained that it would not back down from cracking down on corrupt highly exposed persons in the society.
The Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, who revealed this in Abuja during an anti-corruption concert organised to create awareness and public involvement in the fight against internet crimes, was reacting to insinuations that the commission was only after internet fraudsters.
“We will not spare anyone. We will not spare the mega thieves. As we are doing the mega, we will also do those at the lower end. In the last two months, we have arraigned two former governors.
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“So, it is not true that we are only focused on internet fraudsters. Of course, internet fraud is bad enough but our focus is on every form of economic and financial crime,” he said.
Olukoyede insisted that the anti-graft war, which he’s leading, will continue to be broad-based, holistic and unsparing of anyone linked with any form of economic and financial crime.
He cautioned youths against indulgence in internet-related offences, pointing out that the consequences of being convicted for such crimes are grave.
“Youths need to know that being ex-convicts has career limitations. Ex-convicts can’t run for public offices, the stigma alone is even terrible.
“So, I urge you to avoid internet crimes by all means. Your future is more important than any immediate gains from such crimes,” he said.
The EFCC boss noted that under his watch, the commission is deeply interested in giving youths a glorious and sustainable future with a Cyber Crime Research Centre that is being planned in the New Academy of the EFCC.
According to him, the centre will involve youths in in-depth research about the issue of cybercrime, adding that their energies will be deployed towards profitable engagements.
He further charged the youths to embrace hard work and diligence, in order to remain on the path of success.
“There is dignity in labour. Let’s come together. All of us must come together and agree that corruption is evil. Don’t leave the fight to EFCC alone”
On his part, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande enjoined youths across the country to support the EFCC in its crusade against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
“Nigeria is supposed to have progressed more than this. We will not allow corrupt people to destroy our future, that is why we need to come together and fight this evil in our society, that is why we need to continuously run this campaign because I am convinced that everyone of us have a part to play, without you, there is little or nothing EFCC can do.
“Let’s show the world that Nigeria’s young people are determined to change the narrative,” he said.
