The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu is calling on Nigerian artiste and comedians to collaborate with the anti-graft agency in its fight against all forms of corruption.
EFCC acting spokesman, Tony Orilade quoted the chairman to have told the stakeholders in the entertainment industry that they have a part to play in discouraging criminality in the society.
In an interactive session on Wednesday with artistes, comedians and On-Air-Personalities (OAP) which held at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, Magu spoke on the prosecution of musician, Afeez Fashola, a.k.a Naira Marley, for charges bordering on internet fraud.
He also spoke on the large reach celebrities have and how their voice would be helpful in the commission’s fight against corruption.
“I have said it in the past and I will also like to restate, that the EFCC does not go after an innocent person.
“Our mandate is to rid Nigeria of any form of economic and financial crimes, and internet.
Magu also sought to partner with Nigerian artistes and comedians in the fight against corruption particularly ‘internet fraud’.
EFCC acting spokesman, Tony Orilade quoted the chairman to have told the stakeholders in the entertainment industry that they had a part to play in discouraging criminality in the society.
He said, “You have a very wide reach, so lend us your voices. Please let your works propagate and promote integrity and the right values.
“I urge you to raise a collective slogan against all forms of criminality among our youths, condemn in strong terms, ostentatious living without credible sources of income, particularly the get-rich-at-all-cost syndrome among the youths.
“We need you to join hands with the EFCC in this fight against corruption because we need you more than ever before to change the negative narratives about our country being havens of internet fraudsters.
“I have always stressed that we cannot claim to have the monopoly of knowledge of how to fight corruption at the EFCC.
“We are, however, driven by the passion to explore all frontiers that will enable us to achieve a better society for our children yet unborn – an egalitarian society and one which we all can be proud of.”
Meanwhile, new reports making rounds is that embattled rapper, Naira Marley isn’t a first time offender.
During the arraignment of Naira Marley by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, May 20, 2019, at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, a member of his defense counsel, Taiwo Oreagba who stood in for his lead defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo had pleaded with Hon. Justice I.N Oweibo, the Judge presiding over the case that the singer be remanded in EFCC custody pending the day of his bail hearing.
Oreagba had made the plea to the judge stating that Naira Marley was a first time offender.
Contrary to the claims by defense counsel of the artiste, SaharaReportersreports that he was declared wanted by Lewisham Police, United Kingdom in 2014.
In a report published by London news website, Newsshopper on the 11th of June 2014, Naira Marley, alongside four men were declared wanted by Lewisham Police for crimes ranging from robbery to sexual assault on a night bus.
In his mugshot, the singer who was 19-years-old at that time was pictured dressed in a black T-shirt and a swollen left eye with a caption that read: “Azeez Fashola, 19, is wanted by police in connection with an incident in Surrey Canal Road, New Cross on March 5.”
Naira Marley has been remanded in prison custody until the 30th of May for the hearing of his bail application.
The arrest of Naira Marley by the EFCC had generated mixed reactions as some personalities like Daddy Showkey amongst others have rebuked the anti-graft agency for going after the singer when corrupt politicians walk freely while others like Ruggedman have rejected those in support of the singer’s stance on “Cybercrime” saying fraud should not be celebrated.
Source: dailyadvent