The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced its unwavering commitment to curbing the proliferation of businesses and individuals conducting transactions in dollars.
This firm declaration comes amidst escalating efforts by the anti-graft agency to root out illicit financial activities and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s monetary system.
Speaking on the agency’s renewed vigor, Wilson Uwujaren, the Acting Director of Public Affairs for the EFCC, underscored the agency’s resolve to leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of justice.
“The ship has already left the train station. We have started a movement, and we are not going to relent,” declared Uwujaren during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Emphasizing the collaborative role of citizens in combating financial crimes, Uwujaren urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any instances of illicit dollar transactions to the EFCC.
“The advice I will have for Nigerians is that wherever you see this kind of development happening, the onus is on you to alert the EFCC,” he asserted, highlighting the pivotal role of public cooperation in the agency’s enforcement efforts.
Echoing Uwujaren’s sentiments, the EFCC spokesperson reiterated the agency’s steadfast commitment to enforcing the law without fear or favor.
“Once we have the evidence that people are violating the law, the EFCC under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede will not spare anybody,” he affirmed, signaling a clear message to would-be perpetrators of financial wrongdoing.
Furthermore, the EFCC’s resolve extends beyond mere rhetoric, as evidenced by its recent advisory regarding transactions conducted by foreign missions in Nigeria.
Addressing misconceptions surrounding the advisory, the spokesperson clarified that the EFCC’s directive was not a ban but rather a cautionary measure aimed at ensuring compliance with Nigerian laws.
“What the EFCC has done is simply to issue an advisory through the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to foreign missions operating in Nigeria,” explained the spokesperson, elucidating the rationale behind the agency’s intervention.
He cited concerns over the invoicing of consular services in dollars by third-party agents as a violation of Nigerian currency regulations, emphasizing the primacy of the naira in domestic transactions.
The EFCC’s vigilance extends beyond mere invoicing practices, as it remains vigilant against attempts to circumvent currency regulations.
“A number of them went to the extreme of determining the exchange of naira in their transactions. That for us was worrying,” remarked the spokesperson, highlighting the agency’s proactive stance in safeguarding Nigeria’s financial integrity.
As the EFCC intensifies its crackdown on businesses and individuals dealing in dollars, its unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law serves as a beacon of hope in the fight against financial crime.
With public support and stringent enforcement measures in place, the agency stands poised to disrupt illicit financial networks and ensure a fair and transparent economic landscape for all Nigerians.
