EFCC Seeks Media Partnership To Sensitises Public On Financial Crimes

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has solicited for more media collaboration to sensitises the public on the effect of financial crimes.

Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, made the call at a Workshop on Financial Crimes Reporting organised for journalists in Sokoto State.

The Chairman said the task of enlightening the public on financial crimes became necessary considering inadequate experience of the Public.

He also urged media to intensify efforts on budget tracking to ensure transparency and accountability in both formal and informal sector in the country

He further noted that exposing corrupt public officials was not as demanding as the commission thought.

“What it really calls for is commitment and attention to details. One way of doing this is through budget tracking,” he said.

Mr Bawa stated that yearly budgets of governments at all levels were always announced.

“Institutions have their budgets as well as elected politicians for their respective constituencies.

“Therefore, the media should begin to ask questions on budget performances through deliberate monitoring and reporting.

“More so, whistle blowing on projects’ failures, abandonment of contracts, projects delay and poor projects’ delivery is minimal at the moment, the media should focus more on these areas,” he explained.

He further described the workshop as one of the modest efforts of the commission to build synergy, understanding and more cordial relationships with the media.

He said the programme was started in 2022  and its scope had been significantly expanded to make journalists benefit from it.

The EFCC Chief Executive Officer also reminded the participants that they owed the nation an obligation as media practitioners.

“This is an obligation of exposing every shadiness and criminal acts through our reporting.

“As such, I urge the media to deploy more time, energy, commitment and professional strength to exposing fraudulent activities in both the public and private sectors,” he said.T

he EFCC Chairman assured the participants of the  commission’s commitment to offer more support to the media across the country.

The Chairman was represented by the Commission’s Zonal Commander in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, Mr Aliyu Yunusa,

Papers were presented by Mr Chris Mshelia of the legal and prosecution Department on New Money Laundering Framework: Duties and Responsibilities of Individuals and Corporate Organization, Investigative Journalism and Nigeria’s Fight Against Money Laundering by Mr Dele Oyewale as well as Digital Payment System: Emerging Opportunities for Fraud and Prevention Tips for Victims by Mr Cajetan Ogochie Egerue.

Confidence Okwuchi