Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reiterated its resolve to follow the rule of law, in response to a group, “Concerned Nigerians” that led a protest to its headquarters, calling for repatriation from the United Kingdom Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, alleged to have siphoned several billions of state funds.
Speaking on behalf of the acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, the Secretary to the Commission, Emmanuel Aremo stressed that the anti-graft agency remained committed to the rule of law, as this was paramount in the fight against corruption.
“Let us be patient and let us follow due process. We on our part will ensure that no stone is left unturned as we intensify the war against corruption,” he said.
Aremo further urged the group, which was led by popular activists Deji Adeyanju, and Charles Oputa (popularly called Charly Boy) not to relent in their support for the EFCC, as the anti-graft agency needed the partnership of every Nigerian in the fight against corruption.
“I urge Nigerians to be patient, because extradition requires a painstaking process that must be followed,” he said.
While commending the EFCC for intensifying the fight against corruption, Charley Boy expressed concerns that “it is not enough for Diezani’s assets to be forfeited, there should be conviction.”
On his own part, Adeyanju, urged the EFCC not to be deterred in prosecuting the fight against corruption, noting that after the two-day sit-out, which began on August 28, 2017 at the EFCC headquarters, the group would take its protest calling for Diezani’s repatriation to the UK.