Rehabilitate cyber criminals, Ooni urges EFCC
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has charged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to be fair in its fight against corruption as a way of maintaining the goodwill of the Commission.
The Ooni made the call while playing host to an EFCC delegation from the South West Zonal Office of the commission on Wednesday in Ile-Ife.
Stating that the Commission must be seen to be fair, the Ooni told the delegation that “the best judgment is public opinion and that is why you must remain neutral in your operations”.
“Politicians”, he told his visitors, “will come and go; Nigeria will remain and that is why you must not let politicians direct how you operate,” the monarch said.
The Ooni who decried the rate of cyber-crimes in the country, however called on the anti-graft agency to go beyond merely arresting cyber criminals, by rehabilitating them.
He said: “While I support your absolute clampdown on criminals in the private and public sectors, I will charge the commission to work on the rehabilitation of those found guilty, especially our youth caught committing cybercrimes.
“Engage them to let them know that you are not their enemy.
“Carry them along through your sensitisation programmes so that they will see reasons to join you in your attempt to create a better Nigeria.
“If you engage and utilise their potentials, you will spend less on fighting crimes”.
Earlier, the Head of Ibadan Zonal Office of EFCC, Mr. Friday Elebo, had decried the high level of corruption in the country.
Elebo said that the commission under its National Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, had resolved to work with critical stakeholders, including the traditional institution.
“Kabiyesi, we are aware that you traditional rulers are the closest to the grassroots and that is why we are here to seek your support and collaboration in the fight against corruption.
“We need you as a voice to help us tell the youths that they can do better in life without indulging in cybercrimes.
“We recognise your vantage position in decision making in the country and that is why we have come to you.” Elebo said
