It was a fierce mass action against corruption as management and staff of Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) with Movement Against Corruption under the leadership of human rights fighter and anti-corruption Czar, Joe Okei-Odumakin team up with several civil society organizations, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Commission, National Youth Service Commission, staff members of Economic Communities of West Africa States, market men & women, students from various institutions, etc. to observe 2018 Africa Union Anti-Corruption Day.

The procession which lasted for about four hours took off from the headquarters of Lagos Zonal Command of EFCC at Awolowo road, lkoyi through Dodan Barrack at Keffi to Obalende under the bridge, down to Tafawa Balewa Square leading to Onikan before the train moved back and terminated at lkoyi where it started.

The awareness creating event was applauded as thousands of residents and passerby expressed their appreciation and commended the untiring efforts of the EFCC under the leadership of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as an intervention that will totally erase corruption from the progressive hand book of Nigeria.

At the end of the four-hour procession, the head of Lagos Zonal Office of EFCC, Akaninyene Ezima; Chairman, Steering Committee MAC, Joe Okei-Odumakin and leaders of civil society organizations that participated in the programme addressed the large crowd that gathered together.

Magu said the depth and gravity of corruption in Nigeria could be seen in the fact that between January and July 2018 alone, the EFCC had secured 142 convictions, including that of Reverend Jolly Nyame, a former governor of Taraba State and Chief Joshua Dariye, a former governor of Plateau State.

He added: “This is an indication that we are determined to win the corruption war, no matter how long it will take.

“The Commission has also traced and recovered illicit funds as well as properties worth billions of dollars.

“This level of corruption is shocking, destructive and totally unacceptable. Therefore, the commemoration of the African anti-Corruption day is important, timely and necessary.”

Magu, who spoke through the Zonal Head, Lagos Zonal office of the Commission, Akaninyene Ezima, also sought the support and cooperation of all Nigerians in order to make meaningful progress in restoring transparency, accountability and due process in public governance.

In her own contributions, Okei-Odumakin expressed disgust over the high rate of corruption among the appointed and elected public office holders.

She informed that Africa looses 500billion annually on illicit financial flow, so the continent is bleeding under the heavyweight of corruption, If we don’t kill corruption it will kill us.

The president of Women Arise frowned at corruption in our society which she described to have become a celebrated culture.

She however called on all Nigerians irrespective of status, position and class to shun corruption and join hands with anti-graft agency, EFCC to kick corruption out of Nigeria.

Among the leaders that were at the event are: Heads of Departments in Lagos Office of EFCC; Timothy Melaye, Information Manager, Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering In West Africa, GIABA, Lagos; Comrade Rasaq Oladosu; Deacon Obatungashe Adebayo of the Campaign for Democracy (CD); Mr. Gbenga Ganzallo, Secretary/Centre for Change, Veronica Okei and host of others.