Date Published: 01/22/10

“In 2010 I’ll Step on More Toes, Crush Legs” - Waziri

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mrs Farida Waziri on Friday warned all those involved in one financial crime or the other that she would do all within her powers to bring them to book irrespective of status.

“I will like to emphasize that this year will be rough and tough for the corrupt in our country. Mark my words; I made a promise to step on toes. I have been stepping on the toes of the corrupt but as we progress this year, we shall endeavour to crush not only their toes but their legs,” she said.

Waziri gave the assurance when she received members of the steering committee of the Anti-Corruption Revolution Campaign, ANCOR led by Comrade Mashood Erubami. “Our new approach and strategy since the end of last year already point to this. We need your support as members of the civil society, the judiciary and other stakeholders to sustain this and ultimately win the war”,she added.

She charged members of the committee not to be discouraged by the criticism and blackmail they may face in the course of discharging their duties. “I must remind us again that the battle we have all publicly identified with is not an easy one. It comes with blackmail and threats from those on the other side or those that simply don’t like your face. They will cook up stories about you to discredit you; but be steadfast,” she stated.

She told the committee members to take consolation in the fact that “we are pursuing a noble cause; to rid our nation of all forms of economic crimes and corruption which have held back our nation for years.” 

Responding, Comrade Erubami, Chairman of the ANCOR Steering Committee, said they were teaming up with EFCC to make it a globally recognized anti-corruption body. “We want to join hands with you to build EFCC into a globally recognized anti-corruption agency with reliable partnership with countries of advanced jurisdiction hence ANCOR has decided to position itself as the greatest enemy of corruption.

“This is what ANCOR is doing and will continue to do through the conscious mobilization of the people who are wonderful sources of information about where corruption occurs and creating new avenues through partners and volunteers to receive information on how to prevent corruption, mitigation in terms of prosecution and educating them about the harms and consequences of corruption,” he said.

While commending Mrs. Waziri for her recent visit to Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Inumidun Akande, to explore ways the Commission could work with the state’s judiciary to enhance the fight against corruption, Comrade Erubami said that ANCOR believes that the courts in collaboration with EFCC can go a long way to rebrand the nation and its citizens if the judiciary will not treat corruption cases with levity and compromise.