The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Ola Olukoyede has accused State governments of setting up and funding Civil Society Organisations to attack Agencies set up to enforce Anti-corruption Laws.
Olukoyede who said this when he received executives of the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks in Abuja advised CSOs across the country to distance themselves from corrupt elements who advance the cause of bad governance with no consideration for the plight of Nigerians bearing the brunt of corrupt practices.
Olukoyede says it is appalling to see Civil Society Organisations veer off their mandates to support bad governance.
The EFCC’s Chairman frowned at the tendencies of some CSOs championing what he called ill-motivated causes, especially offering defences to individuals and groups indicted for corruption.
He says the CSOs are critical to the fight against economic and financial crimes as some of the high -profile cases the Commission has prosecuted were made possible by the efforts of some of the promoters of the CSOs. He advised the body to use its platform to advance the growth and development of the country as he called for better collaboration.
The EFCC’s Chairman commended President Tinubu for taking crucial measures on the Consumer Credit and Students’ Loan Scheme, which he says have great propensity of curbing corruption.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Northern States Civil Society Networks, Ibrahim Waiya described the organization as a platform for advocating best practices of democracy, accountable governance and increased development of Northern Nigeria and beyond through policy advocacy, collaboration and partnership.
Waiya commended Olukoyede for the Commission’s fight against Naira abuse and noticeable paradigm shift in the entire war against economic and financial crimes. He promised closer collaboration with the EFCC to ensure optimal results in the fight against corruption.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
