Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Abdulrasheed Bawa, says the passage of three critical legislations in 2022 has greatly assisted in enhancing the country ‘s anti-corruption war.
He listed the affected legislations to include the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022; and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
He spoke during the passing out parade of 115 detective inspector cadet course 6/2022 of the EFCC held at the Police Training College, Ende Hill, Nasarawa Eggon local government area of Nasarawa State.
He said the legislations removed all the encumbrances that hitherto stultified the commission’s operations in the past.
He said with the aid of the legislations, the anti-graft agency secured 3,785 convictions in 2022 alone.
He expressed optimism that the rate of conviction could double by the end of 2023, even as he commended the outgoing leader, President Muhammadu Buhari for his unwavering commitment to anti-corruption war.
He thanked the Nigeria Police Force for their collaborative support throughout the commission’s journey.
He specifically lauded the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for making the Police Mobile Force Training College accessible to the commission, even as he thanked the Commandant of the EFCC Academy, Commander Ayo Peter Olowonihi, and his training team for their invaluable contributions.
The EFCC boss noted that despite its enforcement and prosecution successes, the commission remained dedicated to its prevention mandate.
He said: “In furtherance of this objective, the commission every Wednesday of the week, engages in real time, with the public via a virtual townhall meeting on the EFCC Twitter handle.
“Additionally, the commission continues to establish integrity clubs in secondary schools and zero tolerance clubs in the tertiary institutions across the nation.
“These initiative provides avenues to engage and dissuade our young people from the vices of financial crimes, particularly cybercrime and advance fee fraud.
“The rebirth of the special control unit against money laundering (SCUM), fully empowered and domiciled in the EFCC has also increased the rigorous and sustained public enlightenment supervision and enforcement drive of the commission towards designated non financial business and profession.”
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