The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan
Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I, has assured the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC of support and commitment of
the state’s traditional institution to the fight against
corruption, economic and financial crimes.
He gave the assurance in Lagos, while receiving
the Acting Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, Ahmad M.
Ghali, who led top officers of the Commission on a courtesy
visit to his palace.
“Your presence here today is a mark of respect, not only to the
traditional institution of Lagos, but to the enduring values of integrity,
justice and collaboration. I am pleased to receive you on this critical
courtesy visit and to assure you of my fatherly support and wise
counsel,” he said.
While commending EFCC’s relentless efforts at
rooting out corruption, economic and financial crimes in
the society, he noted that the fight against corruption and
economic crimes “is a task that demands the strength of institutions, the
wisdom of leadership, and the unity of the people.”
He further expressed gratitude to the EFCC for its “efforts
at protecting the economic well-being of Lagos State and its
environs” and urged the Commission not to relent in its fight to redeem
Nigerian youths from the allure of internet fraud.
“The get-rich-quick syndrome is wrong and should be discouraged. Even the two
holy books, the Bible and the Holy Quran, frown at it,” he said.
Ghali who expressed gratitude for the royal audience
granted to the EFCC delegation, disclosed that the visit was to familiarize
with the state’s traditional institution and to formally inform the
Lagos paramount traditional ruler of the creation
of a new EFCC Directorate in the state: the Lagos
Zonal Directorate 2, Okotie-Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos.
“Your Royal Majesty, I bring warm greetings from
the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede. Today, my team and
I consider it most necessary to seek an audience with Your Majesty in full
recognition of your fatherly role in the society. Beyond this, I am here
to formally inform you, as one of our highly respected critical stakeholders,
of the creation of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC. The new
directorate was established to further strengthen our unwavering resolve to
combat the menace of economic and financial crimes in this domain,” he
said.
While underscoring the vital roles of traditional institutions in building a
society free of criminalities and fostering good governance,
Ghali regretted that many parts of the state are 'fast becoming
hotbeds of economic and financial crimes.”
According to him, “Almost daily, the Directorate is inundated with credible
intelligence about alleged involvements of youths across various parts of
the state in cybercrimes. Another grave concern is the increasing number
of land fraud cases, which form the bulk of petitions regularly submitted to
the Directorate for investigations.”
Ghali appealed for the Oba’s prayers and support in
the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes in
the state.
“Ka’biyesi, I am counting on your support because your voice is deeply
respected and carries tremendous influence in our society. As a revered
king, you are closer to the people than we are, and they are traditionally
inclined to listen to your guidance. In view of this, I would like to
respectfully draw from your fountain of wisdom, especially as a retired super
cop, on how best to navigate the unpredictable landscape of combating economic
and financial crimes in this jurisdiction and to flush out non-state actors
from their hideouts,” he said.
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