Ex – investigator advocates increased funding for EFCC

A former consultant and investigator with the EFCC Mr. Victor Osita Uwajeh has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, increase the budgetary allocation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to achieve maximum results in the fight against corruption.

Uwajeh who stated that there is need for an increased funding to enable the Commission tackle the menace of corruption in Nigeria also emphasised that investigation, Hi tech equipment, personnel costs, training and logistics needs a lot of funding.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday, Uwajeh emphasised the need for the anti- graft agency to retain a percentage of the funds recovered to assist in the operations of the commission.

He said: “A situation where the tools of the job are inadequate is unacceptable. Operatives need to earn good wages, housing, cars and receive dressing allowances for greater output and zero corruption.

“The EFCC needs adequate funding to carry out investigations and prosecution of corrupt persons”.

Uwajeh further commended the resilience and boldness of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC Ibrahim Magu in the face of organised persecution against him and the Commission.

Mr. Uwajeh stated that “The hackneyed cliché, which is now a banal aphorism, is that when you fight corruption, corruption fights back. The war against corruption is a war of several battles contested on different fronts. The battles are usually against the hunted, but sometimes the tide turns on the hunter”.

He called on Magu to remain focused and resolute no matter whose ox is gored.

Commending the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari administration in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, he recommended that the EFCC establishes desk offices in foreign Embassies for easier investigation and collaboration with foreign Agencies for optimal results.

Doosuur Iwambe – Abuja