The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied receiving a ₦10million donation from Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje to organize its planned anti-corruption marathon.

On Monday, spokesman to Ganduje, Aminu Yassar said the governor had donated the money to EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to organize the marathon.

In a swift reaction, the EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade released a press statement distancing the anti-graft agency from receiving any donation from the governor who is currently embroiled in a bribery scandal.

The statement read: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been drawn to a trending story in the social media concerning a purported statement credited to the media aide of the Kano State governor to the effect that the Commission got a ₦10 Million donation from the state government.

“The story is not falsehood but a deliberate attempt to malign the efforts of the Commission in the fight against corruption.

“For the records, it is a tradition that the EFCC does not receive donations from state governors/government or any individual at that.

“The EFCC, as a reputable anti-graft agency is sponsored by Federal Government through budgetary allocation and in some cases, foreign organizations in terms of capacity building.

“It is true that the Commission, in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Crimes, ICPC and the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, AFN and other stakeholders is organizing the first National Anti-Corruption Marathon.

“Mr. Jacob Onu, the leader of the National Anti-Corruption Marathon had in the course of his visit to the Commission a fortnight ago told the Acting Chairman and his management about the marathon which he said is being planned in tandem with the International Anti-Corruption Day which usually comes up on December 9 every year.

“He said it was aimed at raising national consciousness on the scourge and danger of corruption to the country and the need for all and sundry to join hands to eradicate it. It is therefore very shocking to read of a purported donation of ₦10 million to the Commission.

“The story is not only unfounded but very mischievous. For the avoidance of doubt, no state governor or some other individual or group has donated any amount of money to the EFCC to carry out the Anti-corruption Marathon project or any other project for that matter.”