Emmanuel Onani, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Monday, denied its staff that had yet to take the COVID-19 vaccine, access to their respective offices.
As early as 7am, enforcement officers took positions at the staff gate that ushers staff into the headquarters’ complex, turning back those who failed to show their COVID-19 vaccine cards.
Many workers were caught unawares, even as those with evidence of vaccination were made to enter their particulars in a register kept at the entry point.
Speaking with a select group of journalists during the enforcement exercise, Secretary to the EFCC, Dr. George Ekpungu, said it was a demonstration of the seriousness it attached to the Federal Government’s directive for the vaccination of civil servants.
He said the exercise was approved by the Commission’s Chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was away on an official assignment.
“The exercise is to enforce the COVID-19 protocol. The Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa felt that as the leading anti-corruption agency, we need to also lead the part in the enforcement of this new directive and compliance,” Ekpungu said.
According to him: “The cases of COVID-19 are increasing, and we must be on the lookout in order to forestall major problems.
“Unfortunately for us, the chairman is out of the country but he left a directive that we must implement the vaccine mandate for all civil servants and staff should take the vaccine and show evidence before they come to work.”
On whether there were reported cases of the virus at the headquarters’ of the anti-graft agency, the senior lawyer responded thus: “We have been enforcing the COVID-19 vaccination within the Commission and we thought it wise that do a thorough check so as to know who has taken or not.
“Cases of the Omicron variant is on the increase and there is the need to ensure that the staff are safe. EFCC should not only be leading in anti-corruption fight but also show signs of ensuring that the staff are safe.”