Anti-corruption War: EFCC Gives 3 Reasons Why Nigerian Bankers must Declare Assets
- The EFCC has extended its anti-corruption fight to financial institutions in the country
- The anti-graft agency explained why the new bank policy was imposed
- The commission has intensified prosecutions against internet fraudsters
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has mandated bankers to declare their assets from June 1, 2021.
According to Channels TV, the directive was disclosed by the EFCC chairman, Abdulrashed Bawa, on Tuesday, March 16, when speaking with journalists shortly after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Source: Twitter
Bawa who was recently confirmed as head of the commission justified the reasons for the directive.
According to him, the new measure was implemented due to
1. Concerns raised on the roles played by bankers in the fight against corruption
2. To prevent bankers from enabling criminals to have access to the funds that were illegitimately acquired.
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2. The EFCC said the declaration of assets by bankers is backed by law according to the Bank, Employees Declaration of Asset Act.
Section 1 of the Bank Employees, ETC. (Declaration of Assets) Act 1986 makes it mandatory for every employee of a Bank to make full disclosure of assets upon employment, and annually in subsequent years.
Meanwhile, the minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation, Abubakar Malami, has responded to claims that he is a family relative of the new EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Malami, in a recent interview with Daily Trust, said such allegations and reports are baseless and false.
The minister of justice revealed that he recommended Bawa solely because of his professional profile and wealth of experience in the anti-graft war spearheaded by the agency.
Malami noted that he is glad that reactions from Nigerians have nothing to do with a lack of confidence in Bawa's capacity to deliver.
In another report, the EFCC was dealt a huge blow as the Supreme Court ordered the anti-graft agency to release the sum of N9 billion it seized to Dauda Lawal, a former bank executive director.
Premium Times reported that a unanimous judgement was delivered on Friday, March 12, by a five-man panel, led by Justice Muhammad Lawal Garba.
According to the ruling, Justice Garba dismissed the appeal filed by the EFCC against the judgement of the Court of Appeal.
Kess Ewubare is a senior political/current affairs correspondent at Legit.ng. He has both a BSc and a Master’s degree in mass communication. He has over 10 years experience working in several fields of mass communication including radio, TV, newspaper, and online. For Kess, journalism is more than a career, it is a beautiful way of life. He can be reached via email at kess2099@gmail.com.
Source: Legit.ng
