Provide special security for EFCC officials, SERAP tells Osinbajo

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo to ensure special security is provided for officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other anti-graft agencies.


SERAP said this in a statement by its Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale, on Friday.

The statement was in reaction to the attack on the Wuse Zone 7 office of the EFCC by some gunmen on Wednesday.

The gunmen had also left a threatening letter addressed to a senior EFCC official, Ishaku Sharu.T

he attack came about a month after another attack on an EFCC investigator, Austin Okwor, who was shot and wounded by unknown assailants in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

SERAP said Osinbajo should direct the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to provide special security for officials of anti-graft agencies.

The statement read in part, “SERAP urges Professor Osinbajo to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to immediately improve the system of protection for the officials of EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies.

“Promoting and ensuring the safety and security of those in the frontline of the fight against corruption is the surest way to demonstrate the government’s commitment to combat the problem and end impunity of perpetrators.

“The protection, safety and security of anti-corruption agencies and their officials are absolutely critical to fighting grand corruption and holding those in power to account. The absence of enhanced protection and security for the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies could ruin the government’s anti-corruption efforts and weaken citizens’ trust and confidence in its ability to effectively and successfully prosecute grand corruption cases.”