EFCC SEEKS COLLABORATION WITH RIGHTS MONITORS, HURMA; CDHR; OTHERS ON FIGHT AGAINST NAIRA ABUSE – Rights Monitors

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The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede has called on the leadership of the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA Global Resource Initiative) among other lead civil society groups during a stakeholders’ sensitization program on Friday in Lagos to seek collaboration on public enlightenment against the act of Naira Abuse.

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The EFCC boss issued a stern warning to Nigerians over the abuse of the naira, describing it as a “punishable offence”. He expressed deep concern over persistent acts of naira abuse, including spraying, mutilation, and stamping, especially at social events.

He noted that such practices are not only illegal but also economically harmful, adding that “nobody who works hard to earn money will go out and start throwing their hard-earned salary in the air”.

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To enforce compliance, the EFCC has established a ‘Task Force on Dollarisation and Naira Abuse’ in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Olukoyede revealed that enforcement efforts have been intensified against unlicensed forex dealers and naira abusers, and that some celebrities already facing prosecution can attest to the weight of the law.

The EFCC boss also highlighted the commission’s broader efforts to support economic recovery and protect legitimate businesses. He disclosed that over N100 billion in recovered proceeds of crime have been redirected to fund key social programmes, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) and the CrediCorp consumer credit scheme.

Olukoyede also revealed that the commission has made landmark recoveries, including a significant recovery from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that enabled the funding of a skill acquisition centre and a liaison office in Bayelsa State. He assured that the EFCC will not relent in its efforts to prosecute politically exposed persons, revealing that four former governors and three ex-ministers are currently being tried for various corruption offences under his leadership.

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The EFCC boss called on Nigerians to join the commission in its efforts to restore the integrity of the naira, stressing that “this fight is not for EFCC alone; it is a collective duty”.

The Executive Director of HURMA, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak in a response gave complete assurance of total support for the EFCC in ensuring victory in the pursuit to reclaim the lost dignity of our nation.

This submission reflect the mind of other Civil Society leaders present which include Comrade Declan Ihekaire of Activists for Good Governance Comrade Shina Loremikan among others.

The Director General (DG) of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu in his address gave assurances of availability of the body in all states and local government areas and willingness to assist people in all necessary information, as a government agency whose primary focuse is on promoting national unity and development through public enlightenment.

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