Imams call for space for religious leaders in EFCC, ICPC operations

 

Islamic scholars have called for inculcation of religious leaders into the operations of the anti-graft agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). 

They believe that, inculcation of Muslim and Christian scholars into the operations of the agencies will go a long way in reducing corruption and killings in the country to the bearest minimal. 

The Chief of Imam of Wuse Zone 3 Mosque, Tajudeen Mohammed Adigun and Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Dr. Fuad Adeyemi made the call in Kaduna on Saturday at a Train the Trainer Workshop organised for Imams and Scholars against corruption. 

Imam Adigun said, EFCC and ICPC cannot succeed in the fight against corruption if the religious leaders are not involved, as he said the war cannot be won with gun and prosecution of offenders alone. 

According to him, “99 per cent of Nigerians proclaim one religion or the other, therefore religious leaders should be involved, to preach to people in their mosques and churches on the ills of corruption and the punishment awaiting those who engage in it in the hereafter. 

“God himself in the Holy Qur’an condemns corruption and urges Muslims to desist from it, as it will lead to killings if it becomes prevalent. That is exactly what is happening in Nigeria today. The killings here and there are as a result of injustice caused by corruption.”

Earlier in his opening remarks at the workshop tagged: Encouraging Accountability and Transparency through Faith Based Intervention (EAT FIn), Imam Fuad Adeyemi said, corruption will stop in Nigeria only if Imams and Scholars will mainstream the messages against corruption in their sermons, teachings in Islamic schools and other places. 

He said, it becomes necessary for Scholars to get involved because of the unprecedented damage that corruption has done to Nigeria, saying that, injustice and bad governance are responsible for the killings in the country. 

“You will discover that, everyone wants to be in government. Governance has become very attractive, not because people want to perform, but because of the corruption involved, if it is just about performance, you will not see people fight to lead.” He said. 

Imam Adeyemi said, at the end of the programme, the participants are expected to gather enough knowledge on the subject, which will enable them spread the message.