Friday, March 29, 2024

I have confidence in Ekiti anti-corruption bill, says lawmaker

member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Omotoso, has expressed confidence in the Anti-Corruption Agency Bill before the state legislature, saying it will go a long way in checking the diversion of funds and other financial crimes in the state.

Speaking to our correspondent, Omotoso, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information, said when passed into law, the bill would curb corruption, embezzlement, fraud, among other financial irregularities.

 

The bill would check activities of internet fraudsters and other cybercrimes

 

The lawmaker noted that the bill would see the establishment of the Ekiti Economic Crimes Commission, which Governor Ayodele Fayose had already proposed.

He said the bill, having passed a second reading, had been sent to the House Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption for further legislative action.

Omotoso said, “The bill is timely and it will lay a solid foundation as well as improve good governance in Ekiti State. It will assist government to improve on the dividends of democracy to the people, as it will halt diversion of funds and eradicate all forms of economic crimes in Ekiti State, when it becomes operational. Apart from that, when eventually passed, the bill will check activities of internet fraudsters and other cybercrimes, which have become very rampant among youths.

“And the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) clearly states the functions of state Assemblies on state finances and condemned the incessant harassment of state officials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission across the nation.

“Recently, a judgement by a competent court in Ado Ekiti called the EFCC to order on harassment of state officials.”

Omotoso noted that the Speaker, Rt. Hon (Pastor) Kola Oluwawole has charged the joint committees and other members of the Assembly to work towards achieving a speedy passage of the bill, adding that it had been sent to the House Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption for further legislative actions.

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