Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned Nigerians against celebrating individuals convicted of corruption, warning that the practice undermines the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
EFCC
Nasir Salele, Head of Legal Department at the EFCC Kaduna Zonal Directorate, issued the warning during a one-day capacity-building workshop for media practitioners and civil society organisations in Kaduna.
Salele expressed concern that communities often glorify convicted persons instead of rejecting their actions. He cited instances where supporters protested in defence of individuals facing corruption charges, sometimes even appearing naked in court premises.
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“There was a case in Nigeria well-known and on record where an individual was investigated, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to imprisonment.
“After serving the term, the entire community came out to celebrate and welcome him back. Ideally, the community ought to have detested him,” Salele lamented.
He added that the trend reflects “an unfortunate reality” where unexplained wealth is rewarded with traditional titles, while prosecutors are wrongly perceived as enemies for performing their lawful duties.
Declaring the workshop open, Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Kaduna Directorate, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, commended the media and CSOs for being “critical drivers of change in the fight against corruption.”
Kaltungo noted that journalists “hold power accountable and illuminate the dark corners where corruption thrives,” stressing that many EFCC breakthroughs were aided by information from the media and civil society.
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Also speaking, ACE I Tony Orilade, Head of Public Interface at EFCC headquarters, criticised the culture of glorifying corrupt individuals, noting that some Nigerians “can even do asoebi in support of such persons.”
Zainab Sani Ahmed, Head of Public Relations at the Kaduna Zonal Directorate, urged the media to intensify public enlightenment, emphasising the need for Nigerians to join hands in the fight against corruption
