By Nkechi Eze
In a bid to leverage the EFCC’s expertise and resources to enhance its own capabilities in investigating and prosecuting corruption cases, the
The Jigawa State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, PCACC, has sought collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC.
The request was made in Abuja on Thursday, February 6, 2025 when a delegation of PCACC, led by its Chairman, Salisu Abdu paid a courtesy visit to theExecutive Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede at the Commission’s corporate headquarters.
According to a statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Abdu revealed that his Commission has the mandate to receive public complaints as well as investigate and resolve issues that affect members of the public, “The purpose of the courtesy visit is to identify areas where the PCACC Jigawa State can collaborate with the EFCC. According to Abdu, One of the areas was in investigation.
“By virtue of the functions we have under the Establishment Act we investigate public complaints. We also investigate anti-corruption cases. So, one area we think is very fundamental is the area of investigation. We are really new and we don’t have the expertise to investigate anti-corruption cases. So, we need the opportunity that would enable us to find our roots and find out how effective an investigation could be in the circumstances we find ourselves in.
“Secondly, we think we can share information. The fact that the PCACC has come into force does not mean that we are stopping the EFCC’s wider function of investigating nationally, including Jigawa State. But there are areas that we think the PCACC could be very fundamental in sharing information that may assist the EFCC in finding its investigative activities very easy when it comes to investigating economic crimes as it affects the state. “So information channel is a key area that we think we can also collaborate with the EFCC and then training. Looking at the expertise of the EFCC that has been in place for over 20 years, we felt that we can tap from the professionalism and the training which the EFCC currently runs through its academy.
“Concerning prosecution, we may find ourselves prosecuting anti-corruption cases and whether we like it or not corruption cases may have interrelation with economic crimes. We feel that there will be an opportunity for probably our lawyers or prosecutors to come, maybe through your academy or through your Department of Investigation to find out whether we can learn one or two techniques when it comes to prosecution as it relates to Jigawa State”.
Abdu also sought the assistance of the EFCC in the area of administration and building structures for the new Commission in Jigawa state.
In his response, Olukoyede who was delighted by PCACC’s hunger for collaboration welcomed the establishment of the state’s anti-graft agency, noting that if its officials pursue PCACC’s mandate with diligence and devotion, the anti-corruption work of the EFCC in Jigawa State would move on a faster track.“The more we are in this particular space, the less challenging the problem becomes. If you at the state level are able to handle the MDAs there, and make sure that you monitor government’s spending, it would make the work easier for us at the federal level because we will have less to handle there. So, I welcome your initiative and I welcome the establishment of your agency.
“We are always willing to collaborate. We are always ready because we have a common mandate. We pledge to support you and to give you all the necessary collaboration and synergy that is needed for us to work together. It’s a good development,” he said. While encouraging the PCACC Chairman to remain focused and dedicated, Olukoyede stated that “You probably will be the most vilified person in your state because you are ready to do the right thing. That’s the challenge before us. But never mind, just let your conscience be clear towards men and towards God and towards the mandate that you have been given.”
Speaking further, the EFCC boss admonished Abdu and his team to be mindful of integrity in all they do. “The moment you start compromising your ethics, it would only be a matter of time before they get at you. So make up your mind from day one. He stressed the need for the anti-corruption body to use its mandate to help the Jigawa government and the entire people of the state. “Help the government to increase its internally generated revenue. Look at those areas where they do rackets in some of the ministries, departments and agencies. So, help the government first. Let the government feel your impact. Block those leakages people see in the government. Help the government increase its IGR (internally generated revenue). And when you do that, you will be registering your awareness. People will begin to know that there’s an agency here. The government will begin to recognize you”, he said.
