Browsing: Viewpoint

The Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigates people in all sectors who appear to be living above their means, and is empowered to investigate and prosecute money laundering, advance fee fraud, counterfeiting, illegal fund transfers, futures market fraud, contract scam, etc; the coordination and enforcement of all economic and financial crimes laws. The establishment of the Commission in April 2003 was partly in response to pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Money Laundering.

Since their creation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), have always been mired in controversy and blemished by political influence. From the appointment of the heads to their activities, the anti-graft agencies are also troubled, as much as they trouble alleged offenders, in addition to subtle institutional rivalry between them and the Attorney General’s office.

The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Sadiya Farouk has emerged as a prominent figure in Nigerian politics. Her dedication to empowering women and alleviating poverty in North and across Nigeria has made her a source of pride for both the woman-folk and the entire region.

The point being made that the IMF and the World Bank lend ‘critical support’ to countries around the globe is well noted. However, the real issues go beyond ‘lending support’ to countries. More pertinent issues are the associated costs, the outcome and impact on the society, of that support. If you support a neighbour in distress to commit suicide, you should not expect a ‘thank you’ note from his children!

When the noise rented the air like a thunderbolt, one was tempted to conclude that there was substance in their agitations. Quite a few Atiku Abubakar media lapdogs appeared with leaked saliva all over their mouths, seemingly aroused by a false hope of catching President Tinubu’s pants down. Indeed they have been running from one media house to another, trying to sustain a public discourse that would suggest that they have a case. This their latest drama is one of the most insanely and idiotic things I ever saw; their incoherent attempts at jackpot, moved further away from anything that could be considered rational with every stride; and, they have left everyone dumber for having listened to them in the first place. They turned themselves into courts of jurisdiction, and played the role of both the accuser and the Judge. They told us they had germane grounds of appeal; which grounds are pre-election matters. How can they be questioning President Tinubu’s eligibility to run now? Where were they when he declared his interest in becoming Nigeria’s president? This is the desperation I wrote about earlier. These guys are desperately trying to arm-twist the process through the backdoor.