Political will necessary to fight graft war, says EFCC chair

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, yesterday said unless there is political will, it would be

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri, yesterday said unless there is political will, it would be difficult to fight corruption in Nigeria.

She said corruption is the biggest threat to the nation’s economy and national security. 

Mrs Waziri spoke at the National Defence College, Abuja, when she delivered a lecture to Course 20 participants on: Economic Crimes and National Security: Challenges for Nigeria.

She said:  “First, there must be a political will to fight corruption. When the chips are down, the essence of political leadership is to provide a direction for policies and to provide requisite anti-corruption structures, such as legislation, funding, zero tolerance policies, among others. 

“While political will translates to zero tolerance for corruption as well as the provision of effective anti-corruption structures, it behoves the anti-corruption agencies to implement and run with the structures.”

The EFCC chairman also claimed that effective administration of justice could assist the anti-corruption crusade of any government.

She said: “We must understand that political will and law enforcement in the world ultimately end in a court of law. The best any law enforcement agency can do is to properly investigate cases and file charges, after which the courts take over.

“The frustration faced by law enforcement agencies within the tedious common law process of administration of justice must be voided.

“There is a direct nexus between security and the economy and that a poor economy is the anvil on which adverse national interests are forged.” 

Mrs Waziri noted that economic security is imperative for any nation

She said: “Indeed the rallying cry should be that as a nation, ‘seek ye the kingdom of economic prosperity and every other thing shall be added unto thee’. 

“In other words, secure your economy first, and the other essential parameters will be easier to handle,” she said.

She identified four pillars for fighting corruption in any society.

These factors are political will; effective law enforcement; effective and incorruptible judiciary and an independent, virile civil society.

“The civil society cannot afford to pander to select parochial interests but must maintain a clinical sense of objectivity.”

The participants were drawn from the various arms of the nation’s armed forces, law enforcement agencies, including anti-graft organisations.