By Emeka Samuel
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says the
Commission had secured eight convictions in Akwa Ibom since its office
was located in the state over a year ago.
The Zonal Head of the Commission in Uyo, Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol,
disclosed this during the ceremony to mark the 2018 Anti-Corruption
Day in Uyo on Monday.
He said that EFCC had secured about 256 convictions across the country
over the years, noting that eight were from Akwa Ibom.
“We have been in the state for about a year and four months now. A lot
of activities have gone on in the state and we secured eight
convictions from Akwa Ibom State.
“We have many cases that are lining up for investigation before we go
to court. I can assure you in the coming years we are going to secure
more convictions,” Chukkol said.
The zonal head said that corruption war should not be left for the
commission and government alone, stressing that the war must be fought
by all Nigerians.
“Combating Corruption is the duty of all of us. The purpose of this
day is to create awareness of the dangers of corruption. All Nigerians
must ready, each and everyone has a role to play.”He said.
He said EFCC would continue to work in with NGOs and CSOs to create
awareness and eliminate corruption from our country.
Earlier, the State Coordinator, Social Action Anti Corruption Network
in Akwa Ibom, Mrs. Ann Udonte said that awareness creation and
sensitisation should be utilized to mobilise grassroots participation
in combating corruption.
Udonte said that corruption was the reason many abandoned contracts
were littered all over the state and country.
She disclosed that 70 percent of government projects listed in 2018
projects had been abandoned.
“The increasing level of abandon projects across Nigeria has
deprived the citizens the benefit of the trillions of naira budgeted
yearly for development.
“This process of stealing monies meant for execution of public
projects have led to the numerous cases of abandoned projects in the
the country, “Udonte said.
She said that government should put in place mechanism to
institutionalize accountability process in all its operations.
