The Zonal Director EFCC, Okim with his team and the NUJ Chairman with some journalists in Benue State
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to step up its fight against corruption, particularly among public office holders.
Speaking when the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Makurdi Command, ACE Effa Imo Okim, paid him a courtesy visit at the NUJ Secretariat in Makurdi, the Chairman of the State Council Comrade Bemdoo Ugber who congratulated Okim on his redeployment to the Makurdi Zonal Command, expressed confidence that his wealth of experience and professionalism would strengthen the anti-graft war across the North Central region.
The NUJ Chairman disclosed that the EFCC and the media share a common responsibility in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance and regarded journalists as partners in the fight against corruption and other crimes.
As the Chairman appreciated the EFCC for its work in curbing cybercrime, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo,” he urged the Commission to focus more attention on public office holders, saying corruption in high places was the major threat to Nigeria’s development.
According to the Chairman, “the public perception today is that the Commission has seemingly shifted its attention away from those entrusted with public resources and is now more focused on cybercrime. While we acknowledge that cybercrime deserves attention, it is equally important not to neglect the fight against grand corruption in public offices, as this remains the root of many of our national challenges”.
Ugber appealed to the EFCC to ensure justice is not only done but seen to be done, lamenting that the growing use of plea bargaining in corruption cases has raised public doubts about the sincerity of the anti-graft crusade.
He assured that the NUJ Benue Council would continue to partner with the EFCC in promoting factual information, public enlightenment, and exposure of corrupt practices.
The Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, ACE Effa Okim, in his remarks, appreciated the NUJ for its consistent support and accurate reportage of the commission’s activities, describing journalists as crucial partners in the fight against economic and financial crimes but cautioned media professionals to always verify information before publishing to avoid undermining the credibility of both institutions.
He insisted that “as much as we have done so much, if you downplay your report, it’s going to affect us but if you report appropriately the way things are done, people will appreciate our efforts ” even as he appealed to journalists to always verify before reporting because whatever they were doing was in the interest of Nigerians.
The new EFCC Zonal Director assured that the Commission’s efforts in tackling cybercrime do not mean neglecting corruption among public officials, stressing that both are treated with equal importance under the agency’s mandate.
“Cybercrime has become an immediate threat to society. When you see young people killing their parents or engaging in ritual acts just to make money, it becomes clear that we must direct urgent efforts to protect lives. But that doesn’t mean we’ve abandoned political or economic crimes; we are fighting all of them simultaneously”, Okim explained.
He told journalists of the Commission’s openness to collaborate with journalists through its Public Affairs Department, stressing that the media’s role in accurate reporting is vital to public trust and the success of the anti-graft war.
Until his redeployment, Okim who had served as the Director of the EFCC Benin Directorate, is known for his professionalism, integrity, and exceptional leadership within the anti-graft agency and was widely commended for its efficiency, renewed zeal, and moral courage in tackling corruption.
