The Sudden Resuscitation Of EFCC .

It is surely big news that the EFCC is now the most active government agency in Nigeria in this administration. Formed in 2003 by then President Olusegun Obasanjo with it's first Chairman as Nuhu Ribadu, the EFCC by 2006 had 31 out of the country's 36 governors under investigation. This led to high profile arrests and impeachment of Governor's Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa) and Joshua Dariye (Plateau). Also Governor's James Ibori (Delta), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu)were also arrested and tried. The fear of EFCC then was intense and corruption was reduced, though it was alleged that the EFCC only targeted political opponents of then President Olusegun Obasanjo, which led to the rumour that the EFCC was a "Witch Haunting" institution.

By the time Obasanjo left office , Mrs Farida Waziri replaced Nuhu Ribadu and gradually the effectiveness of the EFCC waned with time. Yet the agency arrested and prosecuted several bank chief's who were alleged of corruption and corporates fraud by then Central Bank Governor Mallam Sanushi Lamido Sanushi. The situation got worse when Waziri Farida was replaced by Mr Ibrahim Lamorde by during the time of then President Goodluck Jonathan. It was then that the EFCC became a laughing stock among Nigerians. Corruption was on a record high again and the agency was toothless and at a time even struggled to pay it's workers their salary. There was no high profile prosecution by the agency in that period and financial crimes were the order of the day. Despite calls by the International Community and Nigerians, the government preferred corruption to thrive and did little or nothing to remedy the situation.

It got to a point where a sitting Minister of Aviation was alleged to have used millions of tax payers money to procure official bullet proof cars without recourse to due process.  The EFCC did not file charges against her nor invite her for interrogation. Also oil subsidy claim fraud, NNPC $20 billion and Mr Lawan Farouk bride to mention but a few. None of these men were prosecuted or tried by the EFCC.

Suddenly came the public arrest and prosecution of Ex Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Chimaroke Nnamani( Enugu), Ikedi Ohakim (IMO), Murtala Nyarko (Adamawa) by the same Lamorde proving that maybe it wasn't his fault. All these arrests and prosecution came within six weeks of President Buhari' s administration. It is not the duty of the EFCC to make judgements on those arrested but that of the judiciary. The EFCC has made arrests where necessary. It is only a gradual process and we will surely get there.