By Dipo Olowookere
The support of bankers in the fight against corruption in the country has been solicited for by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Head of Operations at the Benin Zonal office of the commission, Mr Mailafia Yakubu, at his maiden meeting with the compliance officers of banks in the zone yesterday, said the anti-graft war was a collaborative one.
He charged compliance officers of banks in the zone which comprises Edo, Delta, Ondo and Anambra states to work with the EFCC in tackling economic and financial crimes.
Mr Yakubu explained that the meeting became imperative due to the unscrupulous activities of some bankers who connived with fraudsters to defraud innocent people of their hard earned money.
He said there have been cases in the past where bank officials deliberately ignored EFCC’s Post No Debit (PND) orders on suspects account or inform suspect about the PND to enable them make withdrawals using their ATM cards.
He further charged the bankers to uphold the tenet and principles of banking as making excuses after an offence had been committed will not be condoned.
“I am not here to intimidate anyone but to seek for your support in curbing corruption. Whatever I do would be according to the law.
“Corruption is a cankerworm that is threatening our existence as a nation. The earlier we join hands to deal with it, the better for us all,” he told the bankers.
In his response, Mr Emmanuel Obanla, Compliance Officer, First Bank of Nigeria, commended the EFCC for the initiative. He said the banks were willing to work with the agency to ensure a seamless relationship so that corruption can be fought to a standstill.
