President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the newly commissioned Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Zonal Directorate Office in Ekiti State will strengthen Nigeria’s fight against corruption, economic crimes and illicit financial activities.
Tinubu stated this on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, during the commissioning of the Ekiti Zonal Directorate Office Complex of the EFCC.
Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said the establishment of the zonal office will strengthen the country’s anti-corruption institutions in ensuring that economic and financial crimes are effectively tackled at the grassroots.
He stressed that no nation could attain sustainable development if corruption was allowed to undermine public institutions and public trust.
Shettima commended EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and the management of the Commission for their commitment and determination in prosecuting the anti-corruption war.
The Vice President described the new facility as a state-of-the-art complex that would further motivate EFCC personnel to intensify efforts against economic and financial crimes, which he identified as major impediments to national development.
He equally commended the government and people of Ekiti State for supporting the establishment of the facility and urged officers deployed to the new office to discharge their duties with professionalism and integrity.
He said, “The institutions we build and the pace at which we invest in them matter greatly. No nation can rise above the integrity of its public systems because development is defeated when corruption is allowed to stand between citizens and the promises of the state.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was created to defend that promise, to protect our economy from criminal enterprise, and to remind every citizen that public trust is sacred.
“It therefore gives me great pleasure, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to be part of the commissioning of the Ekiti Zonal Directorate Office Complex, marking a new chapter in the history of the agency. I commend the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede and his team for their steadfastness, commitment and vigor in the aggressive pursuit of the anti-corruption war.
“Their work affirms our conviction that the fight against corruption must be organized, sustained, and supported by the right institutions, the right tools, and the right working environment. The present administration considers it important that law enforcement agencies, which are critical to our collective safety, security, prosperity, and general well-being, have the necessary facilities to enhance their efficiency.
“I am confident that this state-of-the-art facility will further motivate the staff of the EFCC to rededicate themselves to combating economic and financial crimes, which remain major obstacles to our nation’s progress.
“Investing in the capacity and welfare of officers of anti-corruption agencies, particularly the EFCC, is a strategic national imperative. The Commission occupies a central position in both our economic reform agenda and our national security architecture.
“Through aggressive asset tracing and recovery, the Commission has made resources available for critical social investment programmes such as the Student Loan Scheme, NELFUND and CREDICORP, the consumer credit scheme.
“The prosecution of several high-profile corruption cases, including the conviction of a former minister and a former Managing Director of a national investment bank, sends a clear message that there are no hiding places for the corrupt. These measures demonstrate that Nigeria will not tolerate corruption and that offenders will be punished under our laws.
“I encourage the EFCC and sister agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to sustain the present tempo until corruption is reduced to the barest minimum in our national life.
“We will continue to invest in strengthening anti-corruption agencies through conducive working environments, competitive welfare packages, operational independence, and adequate training opportunities. The sacrifices made in defence of our nation’s well-being will not be taken for granted”.
Earlier, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, described the commissioning of the office complex as a major milestone in the Commission’s institutional development and anti-corruption mandate.
Olukoyede said the office was established to close operational gaps in the coverage of Ekiti and Ondo states, which were previously supervised by distant EFCC zones.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Ekiti State Government and Nigerians for supporting the project, assuring residents that the Commission’s presence in the zone should not be viewed as a source of fear.
Olukoyede pledged that fraudsters, cybercriminals and perpetrators of illegal mining activities would find no safe haven within the zone.
According to him, proceeds from recovered assets have been channelled into national development programmes, including the student loan scheme, consumer credit initiatives and the establishment of public institutions
He charged officers posted to the Ekiti Zonal Directorate to justify the investment by demonstrating professionalism, dedication and measurable performance.
“The chink is now permanently covered with this modern office complex, which has statutory responsibility to take the crusade against corruption to the people of Ekiti and Ondo States.
“If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. When the EFCC knocks on your door, it may simply be to seek your support in the fight against corruption.
“Success in the fight against corruption is impossible without the support of the people. This is your zone; own it and run with it,” he added.
Also speaking, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, hailed President Bola Tinubu for his commitment towards the development of Ekiti, saying the establishment of EFCC office in the state will reduce economic crimes and boost the economy.
