Coronavirus caused by corruption – EFCC Chairman

Here is one of the silliest things you will read today; acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has linked the deadly coronavirus to corruption.

Mr Magu spoke on Tuesday at the passing-out parade of 281 cadets of the EFCC; Detective Inspector Course-5, at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

Coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, broke out in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December. More than 1,800 persons have died of the disease.

However, Magu is of the opinion that corruption was worse than any disease. He said that he was sure corruption was behind the outbreak of COVID-19.

“The EFCC is not satisfied with just prosecuting and jailing the fraudsters; rather the commission has concluded plans to reform them in collaboration. [Not without] relevant government agencies towards making them better citizens,” he said.

“Corruption causes coronavirus”

“EFCC has zero tolerance for corruption as our mandate is to kill corruption. Corruption is worse than all the diseases we have now and I strongly believe coronavirus is caused by corruption.”

“Corruption is a huge burden to our nation. It has spread to insecurity, poverty, unemployment, falling standard of education; as well as weak access to affordable health care, falling infrastructure, and so many others.”

Sadly, in this part of the world, it is not uncommon to hear such ignorant statements from those in highly influential positions.

Magu added that the EFCC had created directorates to expand the agency’s ability in managing crime.

“As part of vigorous pursuit, the commission has created new specialized directorates and sections; taking into cognizance the changing phase of criminality,” he said.

“These directorates include asset forfeiture and recovery management directorate, forensic and science laboratory directorate; as well as anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism section.

“As at 2015, we had 103 convictions. In 2016, we had 195 convictions; 314 in 2018, we secured over 1218 convictions in 2019.”