The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, OAuGF, are set to deepen synergy in the fight against economic and financial crimes, including corruption.
This commitment was among the highlights of talks held on Monday January 23, 2023, during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Commission by the acting Auditor General of the Federation, Dr. Andy Onwudili.
TheFact Daily reports that Onwudili, who was accompanied by directors of the OAuGF, said, his visit was meant to strengthen the existing collaboration between the EFCC and the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, noting that the mandates of both organizations were similar, and critical.
He commended the efforts of the EFCC in fighting economic and financial crimes, noting specifically the Commission’s record of 3,785 convictions in 2022, as against the 2,220 recorded in 2021, which he described as encouraging.
The acting Auditor General of the Federation further restated the OAuGF’s commitment to accountability and transparency in line with its constitutional mandate but admitted that its performance was hampered by challenges of budget, among others.
Dr. Onwudili however commended the intervention of some donor agencies especially the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD, which he said, supported the completion of the OAuGF’s Forensic Laboratory in 2022, as well as the training of 40 auditors on the use of software.
In his remarks, the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, acknowledged the shared mandate of both agencies in promoting public accountability and transparency, and assured the Ag. Auditor General of the Federation that the Commission will do its best to assist him to succeed in the discharge of the constitutional responsibilities of his office.
He said, the Commission would push to ensure the OAuGF was well funded “because it will make our work easier”, and appealed to the Ag-Auditor General of the Federation to ensure quick response to enquiries from the Commission, noting that the two organizations were working for a common purpose, which is improving the wellbeing of Nigerians and Nigeria.
