Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight corruption within the
ambit of the law.
Governor Wike declared that any action outside the tenets of the law is
corruption.
Governor Wike spoke on Monday during the “Walk Against Corruption”
organised by the EFCC to mark this year’s International Anti-corruption
Day.
He said: “EFCC should fight corruption within the ambit of the law. We
will support EFCC to fight corruption within the ambit of the law.
“Anything outside the law, Rivers State Government will not be part of
it. Fighting corruption outside the law is corruption”.
He appealed to the EFCC to ensure that they establish processes to fight
corruption within the rule of law.
“We urge the EFCC to fight corruption within the law. Anything that is
against the rule of law is no longer a fight against corruption”,
Governor Wike said.
He reiterated that the Rivers State Government will support legal
efforts by the EFCC to end corruption in the system.
Governor Wike announced that the Rivers State Government has resolved to
donate another premises to the EFCC to expand their operations in the
state.
He said that corruption has eaten deep into the national system,
distorting the development process in the country, hence all
stakeholders should support the EFCC to fight corruption.
“EFCC alone cannot fight corruption. It requires all Nigerians to join
hands to fight corruption . If you are in my Government and you don’t
want to fight corruption, you cannot be in my Government.
“Without law, EFCC cannot be in existence. It is the law that created
EFCC. So you must work within the law. Nigerians should know that
corruption has eaten deep into the society. Corruption has set us back.
We must all come out to join EFCC to fight corruption”, he said.
Zonal Head of EFCC, Port Harcourt, Mr Abdulrasheed Wahab said that EFCC
is marking the International Anti-corruption Day with sister agencies
and para-military agencies to sensitise the public on the fight against
corruption.
He said this year’s theme is zero tolerance for corruption in the
maritime and transport sectors. He said that the history of EFCC in
Port Harcourt is that of EFCC investigating the oil sector, illegal oil
bunkering, crude oil theft, economic sabotage and other related crimes
in the maritime sector.
Wahab urged vessel owners, badge owners, boats and vehicles owners to
be law abiding and obtain all relevant licenses from relevant
authorities. He charged them to know their captains and drivers to stem
the tide of illegality.
He said that the EFCC has over the years worked for the recovery of more
than N700billion and over $200 million (USD) and 407 mansions to the
Federal Government.
He urged all groups to join the fight against corruption in the interest
of the development of the country.
Leaders of Civil Society, the maritime sector and para-military
agencies who spoke after the walk declared their support in the fight
against corruption.
The walk against corruption started at the EFCC Zonal Office at Old GRA
and terminated at the Rumuwoji Market. Governor Wike and the leaders
also trekked back to Government House from the Rumuwoji Market.