Obasanjo questions ‘ineffectiveness’ of EFCC

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former President on Saturday expressed concern over what he called an ‘observed ineffectiveness’ of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in recent times.

He said that the anti-graft agency was becoming a toothless bulldog.

The former President made the observation on Saturday while addressing a gathering at his 79th birthday ceremony held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State in south-west Nigeria.

He commended the EFCC under its pioneering chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, insisting that the feats achieved then seemed to be going down.

Obasanjo also expressed satisfaction on the war against insurgency, saying that “the country seems to be gaining the upper hand”.

He further called for more action against the menace.

Also giving his opinion about the anti-graft agency’s performance, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, had a different view.

Senator Akpabio said that legislation was being made to strengthen the institution.

At the occasion were family members, political associates, serving and former governors, members of the Federal Executive Council and members of the National Assembly.

Some of them described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian and an elder statesman.

The event was rounded off with the cutting of the birthday cake as dignitaries joined the former president and his wife at the occasion.