The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed to journalists across the country to support its aspiration to reduce corruption in the country.
The acting Executive Chairman of the commission, Abdulkarim Chukkol, made this appeal while speaking at a one-day workshop on effective reporting of economic and financial crimes.
The workshop, which was attended by journalists from print, electronic, and online media, was held at the EFCC Zonal Command Office, Iyaganku, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Chukkol, whose speech was delivered by the acting commander of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the commission, Halima Mustapha Rufa’u, maintained that journalists are the vehicle through which EFCC reaches the Nigerian public with information about its operations.
He explained that the workshop was organised in order to upgrade the skills of the participants and enable them to discharge their duties as financial crime reporters more efficiently.
The EFCC boss further urged journalists to educate family members and friends of politicians and others holding political offices that they run the risk of going to jail if they allow their companies or bank accounts to be used to launder proceeds of illegal activities.
He added that under the Money Laundering Act 2022, about 1,145 family members and close allies of politicians and public office holders are now classified as Politically Exposed Persons (PEP).
