Buhari warns EFCC to stay clear of politics

President Muhammadu Buhari warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday in Abuja not to be exploited for party politics or to be drawn into personal feuds, instead focusing on serving the country and enforcing good governance.
The President, speaking at the State House at the unveiling of the EFCC Standard Operating Procedures, Policies, and Manuals, encouraged the commission’s leaders and its operatives to avoid being swayed by political players for personal gain or to score political points.
“I must warn the commission’s leadership and operatives to avoid getting drawn into personal feuds or being utilized for party politics.” ‘Your role is to assist the country in establishing good government,’ he remarked.
The President praised the EFCC’s leadership for winning 2,220 convictions in less than a year and recovered over N152 billion and $385 million.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to report that the administration’s fight against corruption, which is one of its main goals, is being strengthened by the institutionalization of operational procedures, which are the foundations of transparency and accountability in administration and public spending,” he said.

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President Buhari also praised the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, for his efforts to further institutionalize the commission by developing twenty-six (26) Standard Operating Procedures and twenty-five (25) Policies and Manuals for the Commission’s Departments, Units, and Staff, and thanked the Board, Management, and Staff for their support.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, these outstanding feats achieved are being unveiled today, and I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government, particularly Law Enforcement Agencies, to ensure the standardization of their processes within the extant laws and regulations as provided in our statutes,” the President said.

“I don’t think I need to emphasize the significance of today’s event, but let me remind you that the stakes are great, but the national expectations are much higher.” As a result, we must continue to work hard and act decisively in conformity with the rule of law.

“On the government’s side, we will continue to provide all necessary assistance to MDAs in order to maintain the long-term viability of the projects that have already begun to realize our goal of a corrupt-free society.”

“Let me finish by stressing that if we are to achieve significant development as a country, the battle against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria is a communal obligation of all Nigerians.”

“I ask you all to join us in fighting corruption in all of its forms and in instilling good governance ideals and integrity in all of our institutions.” “If we don’t eradicate corruption, corruption will destroy us as a country,” I’ve repeatedly remarked.

The establishment of the Standards, according to President Buhari, demonstrates the administration’s commitment to the fight against corruption, as well as its embrace of openness and readiness to be scrutinized by services against specified standards.

“I understand from your remarks, Mr. Chairman, that these are the first collection of policy documents ever developed in the eighteen years of the Commission’s existence aimed at defining the institutional rules and operational guidelines while instituting uniformity in standards, improving efficiency, and eliminating discretion from your operations,” he said. These are really exceptional accomplishments that ought to be recognized.”

The President promised a rules-based system in government operations while also creating the necessary enabling environment for its execution.

“You may remember, Ladies and Gentlemen, that since taking office in 2015, we have constantly exhibited the political will required to combat corruption.” We’ve secured the Anti-Corruption Bodies’ operational independence, reinforced the legislative framework, empowered regulatory agencies, and given appropriate money to help combat corruption,” he continued.

The Chairman of the EFCC said in his comments that the organization was through several stages of changes to reposition it for the role of combating financial crimes in the nation, including the development of policies and manuals.

The chairman expressed gratitude to the President and the National Assembly for their trust in his “ability and competence” to head the organization in 2021.
Bawa said departments such as intelligence gathering, training, and academic institutions had been reorganized and upgraded to meet the demands of the job, and that a software had been developed for operations, as well as a mobile app called “The Evil Eye” that could be used to report economic and financial crimes from the comfort of one’s own home.
He stated that the EFCC already had a five-year strategic plan in place for the years 2021-2025, with clear and measurable targets based on five objectives, including improving public engagement in crime prevention, systems and processes for prevention, intelligence gathering, prosecution, and law enforcement.
He remarked, “I would manage an agency that will be the pride of our nation, Nigeria.”