EFCC to prosecute whistleblowers with false information

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has shown concern about the scheme of alleged whistleblowers who deceived the agency through fabricated information.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Abdurasheed Bawa, disclosed that in spite of due diligence by the commission, rare investigative resources have been squandered by the agency to investigate fabricated leads that often come to dead ends.

He stated that the activities of deceitful whistleblowers diminish the noble purpose of the Whistleblower Policy of the Federal Government which seeks to reward information that leads to the retrieval of stolen assets.

The EFCC Chairman noted that the Whistleblower Policy was not intended as a tool for dishonest people to send law enforcement agencies in pointless pursuit or set them against their supposed opponents.

Bawa guaranteed that the commission, without hesitation, will prosecute any whistleblower who deliberately gives the agency deceitful information.

As indicated in a statement by the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, on Friday tagged, ‘EFCC warns Whistleblowers,’ Bawa reaffirmed the readiness of the commission to work with honest whistleblowers and recognised the developments which the EFCC recorded in its assets recovery drive, utilising information provided by whistleblowers.

The statement said, “He advised genuine informants to be cautious and ensure that they have accurate information before engaging with the agency.

“Bawa assured that the Directorate of Intelligence, which was recently created will henceforth ensure that all information received by the EFCC is subjected to rigorous due diligence before action is taken.”