As the world marks the 2024 African Anti-Corruption Day, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on Nigerians to deploy whistle blowing as an effectively tool for checkmating corruption.

Chairman of the EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede made this call on Thursday, July 11, 2024 during a sensitization walk in commemoration of the 2024 African Anti-Corruption Day in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Olukoyede, who was represented at the occasion by the acting Zonal Director of EFCC, Port Harcourt Command, Adebayo Adeniyi, harped on this year’s theme: “Effective Whistle Blower Protection Mechanism, a Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption”, asserting that corruption represents a threat to human existence.

“In view of the danger and threat to our existence which corruption represents, it is imperative that individuals, communities, corporate bodies and indeed the whole world join hands together to tackle it frontally. One way of doing this is through the whistle-blowing initiative.”

“Whistleblowers are anti-corruption promoters. Through their efforts, anti-corruption agencies are alerted about environmental compromises that should be investigated. The alert can come through verbal and non-verbal corridors.”

He encouraged the public to be anti-corruption agents by being whistle blowers on corrupt practices and fraudulent activities in their communities and environment in order to rid the nation of corruption.

The EFCC Chairman appealed to residents of the State and corporate bodies to join forces with the Commission in the fight against corruption by using the Eagle Eye application created by the EFCC, which, he said, serves as a corruption reporting device capable of generating intelligence for the Commission’s use.

“At the EFCC, the Eagle Eye app is an established corruption reporting device that is generating intelligence the Commission can leverage on. I urge whistleblowers to key into this device. I urge whistleblowers to key into this device.”

“Mails can be sent, telephone calls can be made, and personal visits can be made to any EFCC Command across the country to expose acts of shadiness around us. We also assure every whistle-blower of protection. EFCC will never betray you!”

“One salient fact about whistle blowing is that it shows commitment and drive towards anti-corruption. No effort is too little in this regard.”

“Although there are ample rewards accruable to the whistleblower, the most important thing is the need to move the wheel of anti-corruption forward. This is a duty for every Nigerian and it is the focus of this year’s Anti-Corruption Day.”

“On this note, I want all of us to embrace this obligation more seriously. We cannot win the war against corruption through lip service, emotional outburst or mere mob campaigns. There is a need for commitment, passion, consistency and credibility of intelligence.”

“Every whistle blown must point towards truth and evidential proofs. There is punishment for false claims and misleading intelligence.”

“Let us always remember that corruption affects all of us. An internet fraudster poses as much danger to our collective progress as a looter of our national treasury. We should not encourage their villainy by being indifferent, silent or non-committal. Whistle blowing is our own opportunity to kick against corruption. Let’s embrace it totally.”

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Conference of Civil Society and Coordinator, Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMCO), Adams Otakwu assured the EFCC of the unreserved support of civil society in the fight against corruption.

He admonished the public to “blow a whistle when you see something that is bad. It is important for you to come to EFCC to report and the case will be treated”.