Salami Panel Wants Other Security Agencies Officers To Head EFCC
The Justice Ayo Salami-led probe panel on sundry infractions against the suspended Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has recommended the appointment of personnel of other security services to head the anti-graft agency.
Recall that the Panel was inaugurated by Buhari in July and was given 45 days to carry out the assignment. The timeframe was later extended after the members requested for more time to enable for thoroughness.
The probe panel report submitted Friday at the State House, Abuja, came on the day the pioneer Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was marking his 60th birthday.
The investigation panel in one of their recommendations, specifically stressed that in appointing a new chairman henceforth, consideration should be given to candidates from other law enforcement or security agencies, noting that the four chairmen of EFCC since inception were from the police.
“Your Excellency, permit me to say that four successive chairmen of the EFCC from inception, have been drawn from the police, therefore, in appointing a new chairman of EFCC, consideration should be given to candidates from other law enforcement or security agencies and qualified core staff of EFCC as provided in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment Act 2004),” he said.
“It is also important to point out that at the moment, 970 policemen (114 drivers, 641 mobile policemen and 215 operations), are on secondment in the EFCC, therefore an exit plan for the disengagement of the police and other personnel within two years from now should be considered. This will address the issue of no promotion of core staff for over nine years.
“Your Excellency, our thinking here is that whoever you are appointing other than a core EFCC staff, should be in transitional capacity of two years during which period, arrangement would be made for appointment of any of the core staff who has been commended by National Crime Agency, UK and other international law enforcement for their professionalism.
Receiving the Report, President Buhari said his desire was to make Nigeria a country with zero tolerance for corruption, and where the menace is vigorously battled.
”Corruption is present in all countries. Some Governments treat it with levity. Some fight it all the time. I want Nigeria to be counted among those countries that do not tolerate but fight corruption.”
In order to protect Nigeria’s political and economic systems, and the continuous existence of the Nigerian State from the serious threat of corruption, the President called on all stakeholders, and Nigerians to own the fight against corruption at their respective levels.
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