By Udeme Clement

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has charged the media to exercise its constitutional duty in sensitising the public on the ills of corruption, economic crimes and the economic implications on national development.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, said this while addressing newsmen at the workshop on Economic Crimes Reporting, organised by EFCC in Lagos.

Speaking through his representative, the Director of Operations, EFCC, Mr. Olaolu Adegbite, he stressed that corruption was threatening all sectors of the economy including the media. He said, “The media’s potential to inform and educate the people is crucial for us. We believe that on our own we cannot win the war against corruption without a buy in by the people.

The media must exercise its constitutional mandate as the fourth estate of the realm with the highest sense of responsibility to enhance economic growth and development.  Issues about corruption and economic crimes are sensitive and there is the need for media to always verify their facts to ensure accuracy in reporting financial crimes.”

Also speaking, the Chief of Staff, EFCC, Mr. Akayode Oladele, said, “The criminal justice system in the country is frustrating prosecution of cases in court. At present, we have over 300 cases that had been charged to court and are still pending.  There are no cases that we have not charged to court but the judiciary system is slowing down the prosecution process and people are blaming EFCC for it.”

He went on , “Look at the case of former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili for instance. The court granted a permanent injunction on the case and we have appealed for over five years,  yet no date has been given. So, the media must find out from the Judiciary why this case is being stopped by the court.  Sometimes lawyers would even ask their clients how long they want their cases to be adjoined just to prevent EFCC from going on with the prosecution.  It is evidence that the judiciary is also a major hindrance in the prosecution of financial crimes in the country.”