The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) which is also the national contact for Transparency International has condemned the recent attack on the property belonging to acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, and the unfortunate death of one of the policemen detailed for the EFCC boss’ protection.
The civil society body recalled that one EFCC facility was earlier attacked on the 16th of August 2017 by unknown armed group with death threats issued against the Commission’s operatives.
In June also, an operative in the Fraud Section was also attacked in Port Harcourt and CISLAC also issued a press statement expressing concern over the emerging trend where officials are singled out as targets in the course of their duty and service to the nation.
CISLAC , according to a statement signed by its Executive Director,Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) said “This (latest) attack on the acting chairman’s farmhouse located at Kirshi, FCT, and barely 48 hours after his declaration that the anti-corruption war will be a do-or-die affair, further proves that there are unscrupulous elements, mostly Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), averse to the anti-corruption fight
“Although not surprised at the length these pro-corruption persons and groups will go to stop any anti-corruption process, CISLAC is saddened by the death of the policeman and the threat to life of anti-corruption crusaders it is posing.”
CISLAC, therefore, urged the Acting chairman and the staff of EFCC not to succumb to threat(s) or intimidation by any person or group, or relent in the fight against corruption.
Also, CISLAC called on well-meaning, law-abiding citizens of this country, irrespective of tribe or religion; the police and other security personnel; Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the media to stand their ground and support the fight against corruption in order to alleviate its devastating effect on the nation.
Even more, CISLAC reiterated its “commitment to the anti-corruption drive in Nigeria and will continue to advocate for institutional and operational strengthening of all relevant Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) in carrying out their statutory mandate.”