*Commends EFCC For Introducing Watchlist Wish Closely Monitors Corrupt Elected/Appointed Public Officers
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
An Abuja based Lawyer and Notary Public, Maxwell Opara has written to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa requesting the issuance of a practice direction requiring elected or appointed public officers to procure a letter of clearance from the Commission before travelling abroad at the expiration of their tenure.
In the letter dated 22nd of March 2022 and obtained by TheNigeriaLawyer, the human rights activist first commended the EFCC for its recent strides and recorded successes in the fight against graft at all levels in the country. He wrote; “I write in the afore stated capacity to first and foremost express my appreciation to the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission, under your able leadership, for the way and manner the commission’s fight against corruption and financial misappropriation has recorded tremendous successes, more especially in the area of conviction of suspects e.g corrupt political office holders.”
He further noted that despite the successes recorded lately, more work needed to be done by the Commission to nip corruption in the bud in the country by setting examples and policies that will deter elected/appointed public officers from embezzling public funds entrusted with them. “However, I understand that a lot of work still needs to be done in order to substantially nip financial misappropriation and corruption in the board. More especially, in the facet of creating discouraging deterrents against elected/appointed public office holders who see the occupation of various public offices as a tool to embezzling public funds for their personal aggrandizement”.
Going further, he urged the commission to up its game and grip on the fight against corruption by adding a new strategy to the “watchlist directive” wherefore elected/appointed public office holders are put on a watch list and incessantly monitored to ensure that as soon as they leave office, more so, the elected office holders that enjoy immunity, the commission can swiftly deploy the charges waiting for them and use same to facilitate their arrest and prosecution for their assorted financial crimes.
Whilst commending the watchlist technique, he emphasised in the need for the commission to deploy a more critical process in combatting the issue of corruption in the country. In the letter, he urged the commission’s chairman to issue another practice direction pursuant to his powers under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act which would require public officers to procure clearance from the Commission before travelling out of the country after their tenure.
He wrote; “The forgoing use of watch list is commendable and has produced tremendous results for the commission in the fight against financial crimes and corruption, nevertheless, I think that a more critical process should be put in place, through another practice direction or policy, which would be made by your humble self, pursuant to your powers under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, to serve as a deterrent against involvement in financial crimes.
The said policy would establish a framework whereby any elected/appointed public officer, whether enjoying immunity or not, would be required to obtain a letter of clearance from your commission upon the expiration of their tenure in order to travel abroad. This will forestall a situation where those who may be elected or appointed as such, would at the end of their tenure attempt to surreptitiously escape from the country, maybe through the borders, just to evade your commission’s watchful eyes or undermine the use of the watch list afore mentioned.”
Concluding, he stated his readiness to assist in providing clarity in respect of the proposed practice direction if the need arises.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
