The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha Magu has called on religious organisations to join in the fight against corruption by teaching their faithful moral uprightness and integrity.
“Every religion teaches the fear of God and abhors every behavioural digression that promotes moral decadence, impurity and all forms of vices including corruption”, Magu told 7th Triennial National Delegate Conference of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations in Ibadan.
His speech was delivered by Mr. Mohammed Rabo, the Head, Ibadan Zonal office of the Commission.
Magu quoting Prophet Muhammad in a famous Hadith said: “Whoever amongst you sees something wrong he should change it physically – using his hand, if he is not able to do so with his hand, he should change it orally – speaking out in condemnation against it. If that is still not possible, he should detest it in his mind; this constitutes the weakest level of faith”.
According to him, given the teachings of the Hadith and the injunctions of other religion, there is no reason why all and sundry who believe in the commandments of God, particularly Muslims should not be in the forefront in the fight against corruption and other vices in the society.
“The strength or weakness of our faith can be measured by our ability or otherwise to stand up to and challenge those committing evil acts, including those acts that negatively impact our social, economic and moral well-being”, the anti-graft Czar said.
He lamented the whipping up of religious sentiments by some corrupt people, whenever they are called upon to account for any alleged misdeed.
“It is sad to note that the corrupt, using sponsored people claim that they are being prosecuted because of their region, or their ethnic identity. They do their utmost not to answer the all-important question of whether or not they were guilty of the corruption allegations against them”.
“When we arrest and prosecute individuals for economic and financial crimes, we are oblivious of their religion or ethnic identity. What we see before us are men and women who have done something wrong and who should answer before the law courts”.
In any case, who among the corrupt and those engaged in financial and economic crimes does so in the name of his or her region, religion or ethnic group?, Magu asked.
“Each and every person we have interrogated and prosecuted cornered resources meant for their people to private use, only to turn and appeal to those same people they have impoverished – whipping up ethno-religious sentiments”, he stated.
He urged the youth to form a vanguard against corruption and make themselves ambassadors of integrity by questioning any momentary wealth and ostentatious living.
