The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Lamorde, says the Commission is not adverse to constructive criticisms that can ensure victory in the war against corruption.

He said the Commission’s doors were open to meaningful contributions from individuals and organisations with good intentions in the efforts to stamp out economic and financial crimes from the Nigerian society.

Speaking during a meeting with members of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria (CCOSGIN) on Thursday in his office in Abuja, Lamorde said the success so far recorded by the Commission in the war against corruption would not have been possible without the active support of the civil society groups.

Lamorde, who urged the group to be the eyes and ears of the EFCC, said: “It is gratifying to know that there are still some genuine civil society groups that appreciate what we are doing. We also appreciate your coming to identify with us and encourage us in our fight against corruption.

“As proof that we are partners in progress in the war against corruption, you will recall that the EFCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with some civil society groups in 2014 at the EFCC Academy. It is an on-going process and is still active; so, I invite members of your group that are yet to key into it to join.”

Lamorde also stated that EFCC would partner with the group in its planned national colloquium later in the year.

Earlier in his address, the National Chairman of CCOSGIN, Comrade Iso Bassey Edim, said the anti-corruption war by the EFCC was in tandem with President Muhammad Buhari’s zero tolerance to corruption.

Edim, who said the visit was not an act of sycophancy, urged Lamorde not to be distracted by the activities of “self-acclaimed agents sponsored by some corrupt elements to distract the EFCC from carrying out its constitutional duties.”

Edim, who was accompanied by some officials of the 47 civil society/liberty groups in Nigeria, also passed a vote of confidence in Larmode, adding that he should continue to expose and prosecute corrupt people in the society.

He said: “In consideration of your track records of fighting crimes in Nigeria and even across the world, we hereby pass a vote of confidence in you. With humility and respect, we also wish to partner with the EFCC for easy and more formidable operations of the organisation’s objective as a watch dog. We hereby pledge our unalloyed commitment to work with your Commission to ensure that Nigeria is rid of corruption.”

•Photo shows Lamorde.

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