Crime
Economic crimes, threat to individual, corporate progress— EFCC Chair
Abdulkarim Chukkol
The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol MFR, on Thursday disclosed that the activities of illegal solid mineral operators in Kwara State pose grave threat to the local and national economy, through non- payment of royalties, taxes and other dues.
Chukkol spoke at a day workshop organised by the commission tagged: “Effective Reporting of Economic and Financial Crimes” held at the Ilorin Zonal Command, ROYAL NEWS reports.
He noted that the Commission has been active in tackling their criminalities and will continue to ensure that extant laws against illegal miners are enforced.
Representated by the Ilorin Zonal Commander of EFCC, Michael Nzekwe, the commission’d chairman added that, “I wish to convey the appreciation of the entire Commission to you all for the redoubtable roles you have been playing in reporting the works of the EFCC since its inception more than 20 years ago.
“Without doubt, the task of keeping a tab on our works are both engaging and arduous. Engaging because the Commission has been profoundly impactful in combating the menace of corrupt practices in our midst, going by its impressive records of convictions, asset forfeitures and other tangible proofs of accomplishments over the years.
“The reporting has also been arduous because our works are not static and you have always been keeping pace with our speed and energy.”
Speaking further, Chukkol stressed that, “It is in recognition of these tasks that the Commission initiated a Workshop on economic and financial crimes reporting for Journalists in 2022. The Workshop is one of the modest efforts of the Commission to build synergy and foster a more engaging relationship with the media.
“It was flagged off last year in some of our Zonal Commands but its scope has been significantly expanded to make Journalists in other Zonal Commands of the Commission benefit from it.
“Economic and financial crimes remain a threat to our individual and corporate progress. It is not only by being a victim of these crimes that we suffer losses. We also suffer limitations when our neighbours, colleagues, institutions and nation fall prey to them.
“This means that we should not wait until we suffer any loss before we move against corrupt practices. It bears reiterating that, as journalists, we owe our nation and the entire world an obligation of exposing every shadiness and criminal acts through our reporting.
“Journalism is the best gateway to whistle blowing and I charge the media to deploy more time, energy and commitment in exposing all fraudulent activities in our midst.”
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