[By Abigail Philip David]
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has declared that he is not intimidated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He emphasized that leaders should prioritize accountability and transparency in their roles.
Speaking on Tuesday at the National Cybercrimes Summit, organized by the EFCC in collaboration with the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), Governor Lawal highlighted the importance of integrity in leadership.
“I am not scared of the EFCC. Why should I be? We are here to serve, and this is the way forward. Leaders must be accountable and transparent—this is what true leadership is about,” Lawal stated.
The governor also mentioned that he was unaware of the lawsuit filed by some of his fellow governors against the EFCC, but he reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the commission’s efforts.
He said, “This is the first time I’m hearing about the lawsuit, so I can’t comment on it. However, my presence here today is to show support to the EFCC, especially in addressing the growing challenge of cybercrime in Nigeria.”
Lawal emphasized the need for collective action to address cybercrime, saying, “This is a good opportunity to collaborate and restore Nigeria’s reputation internationally. We are ready to support the EFCC in eradicating cybercrime.”
Danladi Plang, Head of Programme at International IDEA, also addressed the summit, noting that as technology advances, the prevalence of cybercrime has surged, particularly among Nigeria’s youth.
“Nigeria has a youthful population skilled in technology, but unfortunately, many are using these skills negatively, leading to digital financial crimes that tarnish the country’s image globally and threaten the financial system,” Plang said.
He urged a reconsideration of traditional crime-fighting methods, suggesting that by channelling the technological talents of young people in a positive direction, the country could enhance its cybercrime prevention efforts while creating more legitimate opportunities for its youth.
