Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, has called for the support and cooperation of Nigerians in the fight against corruption, stating that “the job of fighting corruption should not be left only to statutory organisations.”

He stated that the commission had been deploying the social media platforms to reach the public, adding that the fight against corruption could not be fought only by traditional model of public enlightenment.

Lamorde spoke yesterday during an event to mark this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day organised by Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT) at the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja, with the theme, ‘Break the Corruption Chain’.

The EFCC boss stated that stated that the commission had developed a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory, which deals with all types of analysis in the fight against corruption.

“We have trained a lot of analysts and financial crimes investigators who specialize in modern techniques of identifying frauds,” he said.

Also speaking, IATT Chairman, Mr. Ledum Mitee, emphasised the need to empower the anti-corruption institutions with the necessary resources to confront corruption.

Citing the Jakarta Principles for Anti-Corruption, which include remuneration, authority over human resources, adequate and reliable resources as well as financial autonomy, he expressed doubt that the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria meet the standards.

According to Mitee, if Nigeria is to make significant progress on developmental issues, it must break the corruption chain so as to reduce corruption to the minimum.

He also called for the effective implementation of laws at all levels of governance without fear or favour. “Not only must there be no sacred cows and the culture of impunity wiped out, but the replication of anti-corruption measures and institutions at the sub-national levels must be seen as a priority,” he said.

Bala Sanga, representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), emphasised that corruption has the capability to lead to weak governance, which in turn could fuel organised crimes, including human trafficking, money laundering, terrorism and other forms of criminality.

Sanga, while pledging the support of UNODC to eliminate corruption, added that the UNODC had just started the implementation of 34.5 million Euro project funded by the European Union to assist anti-corruption agencies, the police, the judiciary and civil society organisations.

In his contribution, Mr. Obunike Olaegbu of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) advised the EFCC, ICPC and other anti-corruption agencies to do more in the area of enlightenment and sensitisation of the public on the ills of corruption.

Mr. Kolade Omoyola, who represented the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), urged Nigerians to declare their assets. He said that the bureau is doing its best to break the chain of corruption through public enlightenment.

Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr. Chidi Odinkalu, charged leaders who are nonchalant about fighting corruption to have a rethink. “I don’t congratulate people on erecting buildings, but I ask what they have done to build our values,” he said.

The highlight of the commemorative event was the unveiling of the Inter-faith Anti-Corruption Manuals, a teaching aid for both Christians and Muslims.

According to Lamorde, “The public unveiling of the Inter-faith Manuals is only one stage in a long process that also includes the training of those who are expected to put it to use – the faith leaders, women and youths. Along with the committee, the commission will organise workshops in the six geo-political zones, using the manuals to build relevant local capacity critical for an effective war on corruption.”

Other agencies represented at the event were the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reform and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, among others.

In attendance were top personalities, including the Emir of Suleja, Alhaji Aawal Ibrahim, Chairman of IAAC, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, and Archbishop John Praise Danile, Secretary, IAAC, among others.

•Photo shows Lamorde.

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