Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has said that the Commission will actively work to improve Nigeria’s image in the global community.
Olukoyede made this statement on Tuesday in Lagos while speaking to officers of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Command.
He clarified that the commission would now adhere to regulations that would promote corporate growth rather than closing down businesses while conducting an investigation.
He said: “We will drive this to tell the whole world that we are ready to get out of this mess. We will do our own and pressurize other stakeholders to do theirs.
“There is a need to redirect our focus towards what we were set up to do in Nigeria, which is to drive economic development. We will tilt our focus towards that area. We will work to drive economic development, create wealth and employment.
“The era of winding down businesses by way of investigation is gone. We will look into the mix-fund rules that separate proceeds of crimes from legitimate money so as to allow businesses to grow.”
According to Olukoyede, the anti-corruption fights should be premised on initiatives and modalities capable of stimulating economic growth and development in the overall interests of Nigerians.
In order to justify their involvement, he also tasked Commission personnel with upholding the EFCC’s basic values, which include professionalism, courage, integrity, and collaboration.
He emphasized that the country needs to foster an atmosphere of accountability and openness as part of the anti-corruption movement.
Ada Peter
