BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa has urged the media to be committed in their financial crimes reporting in a bid to expose corrupt public officials in the country.
Mr. Bawa, however, affirmed that the task of exposing corrupt public officials is not as demanding as many thought.
The EFCC boss, who spoke at a 1 day Financial Crime Reporting workshop organized for journalists in Sokoto State, maintained that what is required to help expose corruption is commitment and attention to details.
Mr. Bawa, who was represented by the Sokoto Zonal Commander of EFCC, AC Aliyu Yunusa, noted that fighting economic and financial crimes requires informed media that will help inform and mobilise the public towards curbing the menace.
He said: “Without doubt, economic and financial crimes remain a mortal threat to our individual and corporate progress. It is not only by being a victim of these crimes that we suffer losses, we also suffer limitations when our neighbours, family members, colleagues, institutions and nation fall prey to them.
“Every hole in the armour of integrity diminishes us a bit, because we are involved in humanity. This means we should not wait until we suffer any loss before we move against corrupt practices”.
On his part, Chris Mshellia of EFCC Legal and Prosecution Department, who spoke on the topic: “New Money Laundering Framework: Duties and Responsibilities of Individuals and Corporate Organizations”, admonished Nigerians to give valid information about suspicious corrupt practices.
Responding to question on whether immunity clause negatively affects the commission, Mr. Mshellia said the immunity clause only prevent litigation against some public office holders while in office but permits investigation into their acts pending when they leave such offices.
Delivering second paper on, “Investigative Journalism and Nigeria’s Fight Against Money Laundering”, ACE 11 Dele Oyewale told media practitioners that, killing corrupt stories because of whatever reason is like committing professional murder.
Mr. Oyewale, who is an Assistant Director, Media and Publicity in the commission, rolled out tips on how to investigate money laundering, with an appeal to media practitioners to make in-depth investigation of corruption related piece of Information as it will help in checkmating financial crimes.
In the last paper, “Digital Payment System: Emerging Opportunities for Fraud and Preventive Tips for Victims”, Cajetan Egerue said fraudsters kept changing their nefarious tactics, hence the need for us to always be ahead of them in informing people on how to avoid falling prey.
While admonishing Nigerians to implore best practices in fighting digital fraud, Egerue listed some types of fraud in digital payment to include, account hacking, identity fraud, cloning, internet gambling, Automated Clearing House (ACH), Cheque and Lottery Fraud as well as Advanced Nigerian Free Fraud.
Speaking in his vote of thanks, EFCC’s spokesperson, Mr Wilson Uwajeren appealed to journalists to consider societal merits and interest beyond perceived threats in their noble profession.
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