The National Association of Niger- Delta Students, NANDS, and the Public Complaints Commission, PCC, have lauded the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, saying its integrity and professionalism are worthy of emulation by all law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
The commendation was separately made on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State while the two bodies paid Courtesy Visits to the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Head of EFCC, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa.
National President of NANDS, Comrade Onyeka Ofulue, with seven other students from different Institutions of Higher Learning in the nine Niger-Delta States, lauded the EFCC and Bawa for “outstanding leadership qualities, continuous advocacy for peace and sustainable development in the Niger-Delta region and support for youth development as well as commitment towards building a better society”.
The students gave Bawa an Award and named him “21st Century Icon of Hope and Role Model To The Younger Generation”.
According to them, “our assessment is based on your diligent commitment to the service of humanity, as well as your zero tolerance for illegality, your outstanding contributions to building a better society and giving your service in the interest of the region and the nation at large”.
In another vein, the Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Israel Marshall, commended the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office of the EFCC for handling a fraudulent transaction his Commission referred to it diligently.
“We referred a case to you and you handled it very well. It is the first case we referred to you and you handled it very well. There is integrity in EFCC. Your professionalism is real”, he said. Marshall charged other agencies to emulate the EFCC in integrity and professionalism.
In his response, Bawa thanked NANDS for doing him honour and dedicated the Award to the Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu and the entire staff of the Commission.
“The Award is for the Commission. We are doing our best. Nigerians have forgotten that EFCC is just sixteen years old. Today, whatever EFCC is not involved in is seen not to be working. We are grateful that the public is appreciating what the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu and the entire staff are doing. We will continue to fight corrupt practices and partner with youths in the Niger Delta to achieve better results”, he said.
Bawa also thanked the Public Complaints Commission saying that the EFCC would always treat cases brought before it on their merits. “All cases are treated on their merits. People respect us for our integrity and professionalism. Our eyes are on the court. Our cases are always solid and strong in court.
“Accused persons are settling for plea bargains because they know our investigations are always strong. We all know that illegal oil bunkering is rife in the Niger-Delta region and we will continue to tackle it”, he assured.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
July 31, 2019
