We recovered N527m, $53m through help of whistle-blowers, says Magu

Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the agency recovered N527 million, $53 million and £21 million through the help of whistle-blowers.

Magu said this at the  unveiling of ‘Corruption Anonymous’, the civil society whistle-blower support initiative of the African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the negative effect of corruption does not discriminate against ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.

The EFCC chief said some Nigerians had joined the commission in the fight against corruption, adding that the introduction of the whistle-blower policy had led to the recovery of some stolen funds.

However, he enjoined all Nigerians to join the cause because “if we don’t kill it (corruption), it will kill us”.

“We at EFCC believe that we do not have a monopoly of knowledge. We cannot fight corruption alone. We need every Nigerian to come on board because the negative effect of corruption does not discriminate against ethnicity, religion or political affiliation,” he said.

“We need citizens to actively participate in the fight against corruption through volunteering information. Our singsong should be: ‘See something; say something’. We have no choice because as the president once reminded us, corruption is Nigeria’s number one enemy and if we don’t kill it, it will kill us.

“I am glad to report that Nigerians have so far been very responsive. Despite the unholy alliances of the corrupt who are fighting back seriously, Nigerians from all walks of life have seen reasons why this war must be fought collectively and why corruption must be brought to its knees and those who feast in its temple are stopped and punished. This goodwill and the support and prayers of Nigerians continue to give us the strength needed to push this war.”

Magu said since “the commencement of the whistle-blower policy, we have received hundreds of actionable tips that led to the following cash recoveries: N527, 643,500; $53,222,747; GBP 21,222,890 and Euro 547,730”.

“Through this window, we have seen many Nigerians whose motivation was not just to benefit from the recoveries, as promised by the federal government, but the satisfaction of having to see that what was ill-gotten has been recovered for the good of all,” he said.

“Those in this category were motivated by their sense of justice and overriding national interest, not the financial reward. We urge more Nigerians to borrow a leaf from these patriotic individuals.”