THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Office, has reiterated its readiness to deepen collaboration with the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the ongoing fight against economic and financial crimes.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Acting Zonal Director of the Commission, Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, gave the assurance when he received the leadership of the Correspondents’ Chapel at the Commission’s zonal headquarters in Kano.
Sa’ad described the media as a critical stakeholder in the anti-graft war, stressing that journalists play an indispensable role in creating public awareness, exposing corruption, and promoting transparency.
“Sincerely speaking, I really appreciate your coming. I want to call upon you to join hands with us in this fight against economic and financial crimes.
“The doors of the EFCC are fully open for collaboration. If they were closed before, now they are fully open,” he declared.
He further highlighted the importance of investigative journalism, urging reporters to verify information before publication.
The Zonal Director reminded journalists of the provisions of Section 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004, which empowers members of the public and the media to report suspected economic or financial crimes even without a formal petition.
“It is very important that stories are properly verified before they are reported to avoid misinformation. Equally, journalists must balance reports whenever allegations of offences arise. Once you become aware of an offence, you are at liberty to report it, even anonymously, in line with Section 7 of our Establishment Act,” he explained.
Sa’ad added that beyond investigation and prosecution, the EFCC is committed to sensitisation and creating public awareness on the dangers of corruption to national development.
He welcomed proposals for capacity-building initiatives aimed at broadening journalists’ knowledge, assuring that the Commission would support workshops and training sessions for members of the Chapel on anti-corruption reporting.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Murtala Adewale, underscored the need for stronger synergy between journalists and the EFCC in the overall interest of the public.
“For better working relations, the EFCC will be doing us good by organising training and retraining of our members. This will enhance our skills and strengthen our reportage,” Adewale said.
He also informed the EFCC management of the Chapel’s forthcoming workshop on “Solutions Journalism” and requested the Commission’s participation.
Adewale commended the EFCC for its resilience in tackling financial crimes despite daunting challenges, stressing that enhanced collaboration with the media would make the anti-graft war more effective.
