The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, on Tuesday described corruption as a crime against humanity.
Magu made the remark during a courtesy visit to the National Union of Textile and Garment Workers of Nigeria Head office in Kaduna.
He said that before now there was no hope for Nigeria but that President Muhammadu Buhari had shown “demonstrable political” will to deal with corruption.
“Corruption affects everybody. That is why everyone is a major stakeholder in the fight. And that is also the reason I have the passion, zeal and courage to lead the fight against corruption,” Magu said.
He noted that President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had shown commitment in the fight against corruption and called on the union to support the campaign.
In his remark, the General Secretary of the union, Issa Aremu said EFCC should be empowered to invite anyone living above their means to explain their source of wealth.
Aremu opined that if investigating agencies were not satisfied with explanations by suspects about their sources of wealth, such persons should be prosecuted.
“If found guilty, the person should be made to forfeit entire proceeds from corruption,” Aremu said.
He suggested that a special account be designated as Infrastructure Development Fund for recoveries from corruption proceeds.
While commending the Buhari administration for its campaign against corruption, Aremu stressed that there was an urgent need for a national strategy against graft, which was killing the culture of industry, enterprise and productivity in Nigeria.
“We call on Buhari to revisit the 2014 National Conference Report and implement some measures that would deepen the government’s war against corruption,” Aremu said.
