Magu heads commonwealth anti-corruption agencies in Africa

Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa at the weekend rounded off their 8th regional conference in Abuja with the appointment of Ibrahim Magu, acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as new chairman.

They also resolved to strengthen cooperation and collaboration among member countries for the purpose of facilitating assets recovery and return.

A communiqué issued at the end of its 5-day conference held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, the conference with the theme, “Partnering Towards Assets Recovery and Return” among other things, expressed concern “about the heavy losses that Africa suffers as a result of illegal transfers of proceeds of corruption and crime out of Africa” and stressed the need for synergy among member countries to combat illicit financial flows.

It called on African countries to strengthen cooperation and partnership in the tracing, recovery and return of assets in accordance with Article 54 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and Article 16 of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.

While recognizing the importance of whistleblowing in the fight against corruption, asset recovery and return; the meeting urged African countries to enact strong whistleblowing legislation and provide protection to whistle blowers.

The meeting also appealed to judicial and prosecuting authorities to cooperate, support and fast track prosecution of corruption cases in their jurisdictions.

It encouraged anti-corruption agencies in Africa to explore innovative ways of delivering public education, awareness and sensitization messages to the general public about tracing and recovering national assets.

Nineteen countries including Nigeria participated in the conference.