Ibrahim Ibrahim
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has pledged to support the Jigawa State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (JG-PCACC) in training and capacity building to enhance its effectiveness.
EFCC Probes Complaints Over Public Auction of Forfeited Vehicles
This was contained in a statement signed by the JG-PCACC spokesman issued to newsmen.
He said Olukoyede made this commitment in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the JG-PCACC, led by its Chairman, Barrister Salisu Abdu.
Expressing his satisfaction with the establishment of the state’s anti-graft agency, the EFCC chairman noted that its presence in Jigawa would ease the commission’s workload at the federal level.
High Court Judge Warns Against Interference By Kano PCACC
“The more agencies we have tackling corruption, the less challenging the problem becomes. If, at the state level, you can monitor government spending and oversee MDAs, it will significantly reduce our burden at the federal level. I welcome this initiative and the establishment of your agency,” Olukoyede stated.
Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, the EFCC chairman assured JG-PCACC of continuous support, saying, “We are always willing to collaborate because we share a common mandate. We will provide the necessary assistance and synergy to ensure the success of your commission.”
Olukoyede, however, advised Barrister Abdu to remain steadfast in his duties despite potential resistance. “You may be the most criticized person in your state for taking on this responsibility, but stay focused. Keep your conscience clear before God and man, and remain committed to your mandate,” he urged.
Jigawa Embraces Renewable Energy with Strategic Partnerships
He further stressed the importance of integrity, warning that ethical compromises could undermine the agency’s effectiveness. “Once you start compromising on ethics, it is only a matter of time before you lose credibility. Your team must understand the weight of the responsibility before you,” he cautioned.
Speaking earlier, Barrister Abdu highlighted the purpose of the visit, stating that the JG-PCACC sought to identify areas for collaboration with the EFCC.
“Our commission has a dual mandate: to receive public complaints and to investigate and resolve issues affecting the public, including corruption. However, as a new agency, we lack the expertise to conduct thorough anti-corruption investigations. We need support to strengthen our capacity in this area,” he explained.
He noted that JG-PCACC might eventually handle corruption-related prosecutions, which often intersect with economic crimes. “We believe that our lawyers and prosecutors can benefit from training through your academy or investigation department to enhance their prosecution skills,” he added.
Abdu also emphasized the need for information sharing between both agencies. “The establishment of the JG-PCACC does not override the EFCC’s mandate in Jigawa State. However, we can assist by providing crucial information that may aid EFCC investigations into economic crimes within the state,” he stated.
In addition, he sought EFCC’s support in administrative development and institutional structuring to help the newly established commission build a strong foundation.