Nigeria’s anti-graft Agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it will continue to partner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to curb vote buying, especially during the 2023 general election.
Chairman of the Commission, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa made the pledge in an interview with journalists in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Thursday, shortly, after defending the commission’s 2023 budget before the Senate Committee on Anti Corruption.
“We will continue to do what we have to do, we are trying to ensure that illegitimate funds are not finding their way into our electoral processes,” he said.
Mr. Bawa said that the commission would partner with INEC to arrest and prosecute persons involved in vote buying, noting that cases of those arrested for vote buying in previous elections were ongoing in court.
He also thanked the National Assembly for supporting the commission, through landmark legislations designed to further assist it to deliver on its mandate.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank the National Assembly for their support as EFCC Chairman, particularly the committee on anti corruption.
“They have been with us 100 per cent. You remember recently they have worked with us to pass landmark Acts and legislations and the President has assented to it .
“So, we are working with them towards ensuring that this country is free of economic and financial crimes,” he assured.
Naira Notes
The EFCC chairman lauded the redesigning of naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria,(CBN), describing it as a welcome development.
“We welcome the policy; it is a good thing that the country is designing its currency, because how can you have an effective monetary policy when you don’t have control over 85 per cent of your currencies.
“Out there, people are holding it, people are using it to speculate on foreign currencies, and so coming out with this policy, the government is trying to contend with such speculations.
According to him, with the new policy, the commission will be able to monitor people holding currencies legitimately and illegitimately.
On fight against cybercrimes, Mr. Bawa revealed that as of October 22, the commission has succeeded in securing 2,847 convictions of cybercrime perpetrators.
“These are Nigerians from the youthful constituency, they should join me in fighting the scourge of Cybercrime. EFCC chairman said.
Olusola Akintonde
