Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the anti-graft agency would show no sympathy to public officers who corruptly enrich themselves.
The EFCC chair’s remarks were relayed at the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop on anti-corruption, fiscal responsibility, transparency and good governance which held at the EFCC Academy in Karu, Abuja.
The event was organised in collaboration with the house committee on financial crimes for state and local government officials.
Represented by Chinwe Ndubueze, commandant of the EFCC Academy, Olukoyede said fostering a culture of accountability and integrity in public service is crucial, as it would equip public officers in the different tiers of government with financial best practices.
“The EFCC under my leadership will have no sympathy for public officers who breach the rules to enrich themselves or their cronies,” he said.
“70 percent of the problem that Nigeria faces in the public sector is down to poor fiscal transparency. In every budget cycle trillions of naira are appropriated to cater for the nation’s pressing infrastructural, social and economic needs.
“Instead, we have had the terrible misfortune of rules being circumvented and funds diverted or outrightly stolen through various sharp practices in the procurement value chain, while the rest of us suffer the consequence of the indiscretion of a few corrupt public officers.
“As public officers, you occupy a vantage position to determine the fortune of this nation. Nigeria with all its human and natural resources has no business being poor but corruption is the albatross that has held this nation captive.”
Earlier this month, the EFCC boss said Nigerians condemn corruption yet rally behind corrupt leaders when they are being prosecuted.
He said underdevelopment would be a thing of the past if every citizen sees corruption as a common enemy.
