Despite Senate insistence that he
will not be recognized, acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has revealed his plan for 2018.
He warned corrupt people to be
wary of the long arm of justice, saying that, “corruption will be fought like
never before this year”.
Magu also urged Nigerians to join
hands with the Commission in its ongoing fight against corruption, adding that
it is the responsibility of everyone to make the country a better place to live
in.
Speaking to newsmen after the
commissioning of Special and Sexual Offences Courts held at the Roseline
Omotoso Courthouse, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, Magu commended the Lagos State
Judiciary for setting the pace in the establishment of the special courts.
The anti-graft czar expressed
satisfaction with the establishment of the special courts to try corruption and
financial crimes cases, describing it as a very courageous move by the state
government.
Magu added that it was imperative
for other states of the federation to toe the same line, as directed by the
Chief Justice of the Federation, Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen.
He also charged journalists to
embrace the anti-graft war, adding that they were also stakeholders in the
crusade.
According to him, “You do not
have to fight corruption the way I fight it; you can fight it by educating and
sensitising the public on the ills of corruption.
“But I can assure you that
corruption will be fought like never before this year.”
Earlier, Chief Judge of Lagos
State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi O. Oke, stated that the special courts would
fast-track the trial of corruption and economic and financial crime cases.
Oke, who also expressed gratitude
at the turnout of invited guests, said: “We believe strongly that the special
courts shall fast-track the trial of economic and financial cases and encourage
the EFCC and other relevant bodies like ICPC to expedite the investigation and
prosecution of such cases.”
“The journey started in June 2017
in the speech marking the 2nd anniversary of the President Muhammadu Buhari
administration when the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, announced the plan
of the Federal Government to designate specific courts to handle corruption
cases.
“He said the courts would be part
of a general judicial reform to make the judiciary more efficient and to
facilitate the determination of corruption and financial crime cases.”
She further stated that the bulk
of over 500 cases of financial crimes pending before the High Court had now
been assigned to the special offences courts.
“In the Lagos State judiciary, we
have commenced a campaign against corruption in our courts and among supporting
staff. All hands are on deck to see an end to this cankerworm that has eaten
deeply into the fabric of our justice delivery system.
“We are enthusiastic about the
designation of the new courts as we see the development as a step in the right
direction,” she said.
The cutting of the tape for the
commissioning of the special courts was performed by the Lagos State Deputy
Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule.
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