The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Minister of Information; Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, (PACAC) are among prominent Nigerians invited by two leading anti-corruption organizations, the Transparency International and Global Witness to speak at an international conference on money laundering and assets recovery in London
In a statement signed by the EFCC Head Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the invitation is coming days after the Senate rejected Ibrahim Magu, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and failed to confirm him chairman of the anti graft agency.
Magu is expected to deliver a paper on the topic, “Give Us Our Money Back – Nigeria’s Fight Against Corruption: A Critical Conversation”.
“The invitation from the Global Witness and Transparency International is in recognition of the invaluable role the Magu-led EFCC has played in his more than one year in office in recovery of stolen funds.
“It also coincidentally comes a few days after members of the Nigerian Senate chose to overlook the strides achieved by Magu, and instead refused his re-nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari as the substantive chairman of the EFCC.
“The international conference, which is coming on the heels of the 2016 London Anti-Corruption Summit, will focus on the progress of Nigeria’s asset recovery and anti-corruption efforts.
“ It will also feature a panel discussions for “critical exchange of views” between officials and non-government experts from Nigeria and the United Kingdom,” EFCC spokesman stated.
According to him, “few international personalities have been invited along with Magu to participate in the conference. Among those from Nigeria are Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information; Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC; its secretary, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye and Olanrewaju Suraju of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda.”