The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), yesterday charged all staff of the commission to brace up for fresh and greater challenges in the arduous task of combating corruption.

He gave the charge at the formal handover ceremony held at the EFCC headquarters, Abuja, which saw him take over from Ibrahim Lamorde as chairman of the agency.

Asserting his readiness to succeed in running the EFCC, Magu, who like Lamorde is a pioneer staff of the agency, expressed absolute commitment to executing the war against corruption.

While paying tribute to the founding fathers of the agency, he said: “I want to state our resolve not to falter on the well-established tradition of patriotism, dedication, courage and fearlessness, and we will take this responsibility with utmost seriousness that it deserves.”

He promised to “ginger up the anti-corruption campaign”, noting that there was no better time to do so than now.

Corruption, according to Magu, cannot co-exist with any meaningful development, as such, must be fought to a standstill.

“There is the need to make sure that whatever is gotten for common use did not end up in private pockets,” he said, stressing that fighting corruption to a standstill will make the country attractive to foreign investors.

Magu also pledged to be a listening leader and one that will be responsive to staff welfare and development.

He said: “I am ready and willing to work with everybody without any primordial concerns.”

Noted as a no-nonsense investigator, Magu said: “While we will intensify on our work out there, we will also keep an eye internally, and will not tolerate indiscipline nor condone abuse of office or acts of corruption.”

Magu commended Lamorde for his leadership and wished him the best in his future endeavours. He also commended the management of the agency for having worked assiduously to ensure the sustenance of the objectives of establishing the EFCC.

On his part, Lamorde, charged staff of the agency to be patriotic and desist from mudslinging.

“As a human being, you have the right to disagree with someone, but if you disagree with your leader approach him yourself, instead of going out there to grumble,” he said.

According to him, those who engage in such actions are apparently oblivious of the far-reaching impact of their actions, which goes beyond the Commission and the individual.

Describing Magu as a “brother, colleague and friend”, Lamorde urged members of staff to give the new EFCC boss all the support that is needed to move the anti-graft agency forward.

“He needs all the support and encouragement he can get, and he should not be distracted with unnecessary write-ups,” he said.

Waxing a bit religious, Lamorde described his exit as “an act of God”, saying: “If you see it like that you won’t blame anybody, and you will have peace of mind. Let’s take whatever happens as an act of God.”

The handover ceremony was witnessed by the Secretary to the Commission, Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, as well as directors and heads of units of the EFCC.

•Photo shows Ag. Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

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