₦airaland Forum

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulkarim Chukkol, has threatened to decisively deal with any of its staff who leak confidential information.

According to him, the staff members take an oath of secrecy during the process of getting the job, stressing that anyone found culpable would be dismissed.

Chukkol stated this at EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja on Friday during the passing-out ceremony of the EFCC Detective Superintendent Course 9.

He said no fewer than 318 cadets participated in the course, adding that they would be absorbed into the commission.

Chukkol said the step was taken to boost the manpower of the commission to fight growing graft in the country to a standstill

He said, “Today, we are witnessing the passing-out of a crop of cadets who 12 months ago, were carefully selected out of thousands of applicants.

“You have all been sworn to the oaths of allegiance and secrecy to be loyal to the nation and the EFCC as well as treat in strict confidence any information that comes to your knowledge in the course of carrying out your duty.

“Any act of corruption, disloyalty, disobedience to constituted authority, and insubordination will be decisively dealt with and the defaulters are shown the exit door.”

He lamented the growing spate of corruption in both public and private sectors, insisting that operatives of the commission would put up a fierce battle through enforcement.

Chukkol said, “The EFCC as you know, is championing the fight against these unwholesome acts being perpetrated by unscrupulous persons whose aim is gaining illicit wealth at the expense of the safety and security of the generality of the public and the image of our dear nation.

“Trends in economic and financial crimes keep evolving and the EFCC must continue to put up a fierce battle against them by prevention through sensitisation and enforcement to serve as deterrence.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Secretary to the Commission, George Ekpungu urged the graduands to uphold the highest levels of integrity and honesty and exhibit appreciable standards of decorum wherever they find themselves.

“We are EFCC, we uphold integrity, honesty, and the highest standards. What you are witnessing today, a lot of people sacrificed so many things. You must above all, operate in integrity. I am saying this today because I am the Chairman of the Appointment, Promotion, and Discipline Committee.

“If you do compromise your office, you will be sent back home to your parents. So parents caution your children on illegalities and avoid putting them under unnecessary pressure,” he said.

Earlier, the Commandant of the EFCC Academy, Ayo Olowoniyi called on the cadets to be guided by the truth wherever they go.