EFCC declares war on seaport corruption; unveils measure to crackdown financial malpractices

Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime sharing; follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates. Click to Follow us

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a crackdown on financial malpractices and corruption at Nigeria’s seaports and maritime domain, aiming to restore investor confidence. The ports have long been plagued by corruption, extortion, and other financial crimes, making them one of the most expensive in West and Central Africa.

To tackle these issues, the EFCC has partnered with the National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTFLCA). The Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate, Ahmed Muhammad Ghali, stated that the commission is determined to root out financial crimes at entry points, which have contributed to Nigeria’s poor reputation for foreign investment. “The impression that port users and foreigners get at the first entry point has far-reaching consequences. Many are discouraged from investing here because they encounter unethical practices before entering the country,” Ghali said.

He emphasized that the EFCC would act on verified information and protect whistleblowers, saying, “No matter how powerful the suspect is, once we get verifiable intelligence, we will pursue them. We are not here to destroy businesses; we are here to reform them. Compliance must become the watchword at every level of the maritime industry.

Ghali also highlighted the need for mutual capacity building between the EFCC and the task taskforce, stating, “This partnership must go beyond just sealing an agreement; it must produce results. Let us lay the groundwork for joint operations and sensitisation campaigns that cut across all gateways – seaports, airports, and border stations.”

The National President of the Taskforce, Dr Basil Chudi Nwolisa, emphasised the group’s mission to promote integrity and transparency in the freight forwarding, packaging, transport, and logistics sectors. “If we succeed in reducing economic crimes, we not only boost government revenue but also restore dignity to the profession and attract genuine foreign investors,” he said, noting that corruption and non-compliance threaten national revenue and investor confidence.

The partnership aims to address systemic challenges, including financial crimes, regulatory breaches, and unethical practices, through joint efforts and enforcement.

Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post