Ondo Anti-Graft Agency Seeks Joint Efforts With EFCC To Combat Corruption

Ondo Anti-Graft Agency Seeks Joint Efforts With EFCC To Combat Corruption

The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-corruption Commission has called on the Federal Government’s anti-corruption agencies to collaborate with it in its efforts to eradicate corruption in the state.

The commission which expressed its determination to eradicate corruption in the state, said its operation would not in any way rival the federal anti-graft commissions but collaborate.

The Chairman of the state anti-corruption commission, Justice Williams Akintoroye (retd.) stated this on Tuesday at the capacity building workshop for the officials of local government officials and other stakeholders, in Akure, the state capital.

Akintoroye, who noted that corruption had contributed significantly to the underdevelopment in Nigeria, said the fight against corruption should be efforts of all anti-graft agencies.

He said, “There is no need for competition or rat race between or among us. Rather our work should be complimentary. The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Commission is a statutory commission of Ondo State and has a clear and unambiguous mandate.

“I wish to assure Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in particular, that the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Commission is committed to be a reference point not only to all the states in Nigeria but to our sister federal agencies in terms of commitment to global best anti-corruption preventive, investigation and prosecution of offences. The ongoing fear of being entertained in some quarters is grossly misplaced.”

He however noted that “if EFCC is not still comfortable about our operation, I advise recourse to Law Court to challenge the power of Ondo State House of Assembly to make Laws for good governance of the State, and in this case Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Law 2022.”

In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Amidu Takuro, said local governments in the state had significant roles to play in development facilitation and needed the orientation to imbibe and exhibit the culture of accountable governance.

According to him, the present administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has made a giant stride by instilling the virtues of good governance with emphasis on transparency, accountability and zero-tolerance for corrupt practices.

He said, “The governor has not relented in his onerous effort of lifting the standard of good people to the desired haven in the State. The role and contributions of his government are unquantifiable across all sectors.

“The onerous support of Governor Aiyedatiwa towards Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Commission is no doubt a morale booster for enhanced accountability and transparency practices in Ondo state. I have a strong conviction that this posture is unique among states across Nigeria.

“Of recent, the local government has been put under serious experiment. We are happy to support this programme as a way of keeping in shape, and understanding more in-depth the tenets of accountability, transparency, probity and zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices.”