Mrs. Farida Waziri, who was removed as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] last week, waxed philosophical as she handed over the reins of the commission to Mr. Ibrahim Lamurde yesterday. She said, 'I have fought a good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.' She spoke at a ceremony at EFCC's head office in Abuja.Mrs. Waziri also said she had no regrets in her three and a half year's stewardship of the commission. Waziri who listed her achievements as chairman of the commission from 2008, said apart from getting over 450 convictions, the commission has taken about 75 high profile cases to court after inheriting only 10.She said the commission recovered over $9 billon during her time as chairman which is in the Recovered Accounts at the Central Bank, while some of the monies have been returned to their owners. According to Waziri, she regards building a world class institution that will stand the test of time and that will work within the rule of law as a top achievement.She also commended her successor, Ibrahim Lamurde, describing him as a top class police officer who contributed in no small measure to her success as chairman.Waziri also thanked President Jonathan and Nigerians for their support. She especially thanked all the young men and women who worked with her. The former chairman also described the anti-corruption crusade of government as sincere, saying the the new position of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Dahiru Musdapher on fast tracking corruption cases is in line with her campaign for special courts and enabling legislation in the fight against corruption. Waziri further urged the government and Nigerians to 'offer greater support and prayers for my successor because the battle is not over yet.'On his part, the acting chairman Ibrahim Lamurde, while wishing the former chairman the best in her future endeavours, said he will be making more demands of every staff of EFCC, tasking them on more professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct, and that he will not accept failure of any kind.According to him, 'in the last eight years, I have been uniquely placed as participant observer in the birth and nurture of this Commission'and will leverage the abundant skills and experiences in the commission and the immense goodwill of Nigerians to move EFCC to a new level'Lets get back to work!
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