The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Efcc

  • JAMB, EFCC Urge Nigerians to Sustain Nation-Building Efforts at 66

    JAMB, EFCC Urge Nigerians to Sustain Nation-Building Efforts at 66

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have called for sustained efforts towards national development as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

    In separate messages issued to commemorate the anniversary, the two institutions reflected on the country’s progress since independence and urged Nigerians to remain committed to building a better nation.

    JAMB highlighted the changes Nigeria has experienced over the years, particularly in the area of technology, noting that its own evolution from paper-based examinations to computer-based testing mirrored the country’s broader transformation.

    “From pen and paper to keyboards and screens, Nigeria has evolved, and JAMB has evolved with her,” the board said.

    The examination body said the anniversary offered an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s achievements while remaining focused on future possibilities.

    “As we celebrate another year of independence, we honour how far we’ve come and look ahead to all that is still possible,” JAMB added, while wishing Nigerians a happy Independence Day.

    Similarly, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said Nigeria had recorded considerable progress in its nation-building efforts since gaining independence.

    Olukoyede said independence had given Nigerians liberty and the opportunity to determine their own path as a nation.

    “At 66, Nigeria has come a long way. Independence has offered us liberty and self-determination. We are also making considerable progress in nation building,” he said.

    The EFCC chairman described the various development efforts in the country as important foundations for achieving the Nigeria citizens desire.

    “All these efforts are significant. They are the building blocks of the greater nation we desire,” he said.

    Olukoyede, however, stressed the need for ongoing reforms to be accompanied by a firm commitment to tackling corruption.

    “Let’s therefore couple all our reform-focussed initiatives with zero tolerance for corruption. We cannot be building and allow corrupt practices vitiate our efforts,” he said.

    He added that achieving sustained national progress would require Nigerians to reject compromises capable of undermining development efforts.

    “Progress only comes with purposeful rejection of compromises. Nigeria will surely get better!” Olukoyede said.

  • EFCC Again Declares Former Pension Boss Maina Wanted

    EFCC Again Declares Former Pension Boss Maina Wanted

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has again declared the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, wanted over an alleged case of receiving stolen property.

    The anti-graft agency announced this in a public notice issued on Wednesday, accompanied by a photograph of the former pension reform official.

    The EFCC identified Maina, 61, as an indigene of Biu, Borno State, and urged members of the public with information about his whereabouts to contact the commission or other security agencies.

    The notice read, “The public is hereby notified that ABDULRASHEED ABDULLAHI MAINA, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Receiving Stolen Properties.”

    The commission listed its offices in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Gombe and Port Harcourt as locations where information could be submitted.

    The EFCC also provided a telephone line and official email address for members of the public wishing to pass on information concerning Maina’s whereabouts.

    This is not the first time the former pension task force chairman has been declared wanted by the commission. In November 2015, the EFCC declared him wanted over allegations relating to procurement fraud, stealing and money laundering in connection with the alleged pension biometric scam.

    Maina came to national prominence during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan when he headed the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms.

    The task force was involved in efforts to recover pension funds and address alleged irregularities within the pension system.

    His activities in the pension reform exercise were later overshadowed by legal proceedings initiated by the EFCC over alleged money laundering involving funds linked to the pension reforms.

    In November 2022, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Maina and sentenced him to eight years in prison for money laundering-related offences. The court also ordered the forfeiture of assets connected to the case.

    Maina subsequently appealed the judgment.

    However, the EFCC’s latest wanted notice did not disclose whether the new case involving alleged receipt of stolen property is connected to his previous pension-related prosecution.

    The commission also did not provide details of the property allegedly received by Maina or explain the circumstances surrounding the latest case.

  • SERAP Gives INEC Seven Days to Explain Alleged ₦126bn Electoral Spending

    SERAP Gives INEC Seven Days to Explain Alleged ₦126bn Electoral Spending

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has given the Independent National Electoral Commission seven days to account for more than ₦126.46bn in electoral funds flagged over alleged procurement irregularities.

    SERAP made the demand in a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, following concerns raised in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

    The audit report, published on August 7, 2026, examined government transactions between January and December 2022, with some findings extending to December 31, 2023.

    According to SERAP, the funds in question were linked to the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials, sensitive electoral materials, result sheets, vehicles and other services related to election administration.

    The organisation said some of the payments were allegedly made without following required procurement procedures, while the delivery or utilisation of some of the goods and services could not be established.

    SERAP urged INEC to provide details of the amounts paid, beneficiaries, contracts and procurement processes, as well as the contractors and suppliers involved.

    It also asked the commission to provide evidence of the delivery and utilisation of the goods and services and account for the current status of the electoral assets involved.

    The organisation further called on INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to refer the alleged financial irregularities to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for investigation.

    SERAP said the agencies should prosecute anyone found culpable and recover public funds where wrongdoing is established.

    One of the major issues highlighted by the organisation involved more than ₦112.15bn allegedly paid for ballot boxes, electoral devices, items and materials without competitive bidding or a Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

    SERAP said the Auditor-General reported that there was no evidence that the items were procured.

    The organisation also said the audit raised questions about the companies involved, including concerns over their competence, experience, capacity, addresses and factory locations.

    SERAP maintained that INEC must account for the funds and demonstrate that they were spent for their intended purposes.

  • Wike: EFCC Probe Doesn’t Bar Anyone From Campaigning

    Wike: EFCC Probe Doesn’t Bar Anyone From Campaigning

    …APC campaign council spokesperson Kemi Asekun-Shittu says it is unjust to stall Edu’s life or career while the investigation is ongoing

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly defended the inclusion of individuals under Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation within political campaign teams, asserting that a security probe does not legally stop anyone from canvassing for votes.

    Speaking during a live media parley aired on Channels Television, the former Rivers State Governor criticized what he described as a double standard from the press and public regarding the scrutiny applied to political campaigns. He pointed out the irony that an individual under investigation but not yet charged in court is often heavily scrutinized for campaigning, while others with active cases are permitted to run for the highest offices.

    “You (media) were asking the moral justification of putting someone who has an EFCC case to be in a campaign council. And I was just watching the lady. The lady doesn’t even know what to say,” Wike observed. “Now, somebody cannot be in a campaign to canvass for votes for a particular person, but somebody who has an EFCC case can contest an election and win an election?”

    Wike further noted that Nigerian political history is filled with instances where individuals facing severe criminal allegations successfully ran for office. “This person had an EFCC case in court, charged to court. He contested an election and became a Governor,” Wike said, choosing not to mention specific names.

    Expanding his argument to show the limits of political advocacy, Wike stated that even incarcerated individuals possess the ability to influence voters. “Listen. Even a prisoner… maybe they have somebody in prison. I go and visit the person. The person can tell me, ‘My brother, I want you to support so-and-so candidate.’ A prisoner has canvassed for vote.”

    He also referenced an unnamed individual previously accused of participating in a coup plot who still engaged in political campaigning. “I was watching, when Channels, when Sunrise, who came up to say, ‘Ah, how can somebody who’s being looked for as a coup plotter is now canvassing for votes for so-and-so government?’ Somebody EFCC is looking for is now canvassing for votes for so-and-so person. But… a party, or a candidate cannot, simply because EFCC is investigating the person, cannot be a member of the campaign council to campaign for votes.”

    Wike’s comments come on the heels of intense public controversy surrounding the inclusion of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential re-election campaign structure. Edu was named the Director of Women Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.

    Edu was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 following sweeping allegations of financial impropriety and was subsequently questioned by the EFCC. To date, she has not been publicly or legally declared guilty of any crime.

    Defending the decision on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, APC campaign council spokesperson Kemi Asekun-Shittu argued that it is unjust to stall Edu’s life or career while the investigation remains pending.

    “I’d like to say that for Betta Edu, for example, she has not been found guilty. And it will be unfair to ask that she leaves her life or refuses to live her life until the EFCC declares her. We believe that there is very likely the issue that she may not be found guilty,” Asekun-Shittu stated. “But besides that, we also know that with politics, every Nigerian is allowed to be a politician if they choose to. And we do not believe that we should then hold her life still or keep her stagnant until the case is decided. It’s been almost two years of that case. She does deserve an opportunity to present herself again for the party.”

    Asekun-Shittu concluded by emphasizing that campaign committee selections are strictly internal party affairs, meaning the APC retains the right to choose its workers. However, she noted that the current directory is not final and remains subject to future reviews.

  • EFCC Arraigns Four for False Declaration of Assets 

    EFCC Arraigns Four for False Declaration of Assets 

    The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraignedDatau Irimiya Dangyil, Joshua Ayuba Dodo, Lekan Tosin Olatoye and Caleb Akanmu Kayode before Justices Amina Bello and A.Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court,sitting in Kaduna for fraud.

    Dodo, Olatoye and Dangyil were arraigned before Justice Bello, while Kayode was arraigned before Justice Isiaka, all on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 on separate one-count charge, bordering on false declaration of assets.

    Dangyil’s charge reads: “That you, Datau Irimiya Dangyil  on or about the 26th May, 2025 at Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly made a false declaration when you failed to declare your interest in Account No: 8141229021 in your name Datau Irimiya Dangyil,  domiciled with Palmpay  Limited in the Declaration of Assets Form of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27(3)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.”

    That of Olatoye reads: “That you, Lekan Tosin Olatoye, on or about the 27th May, 2025 at Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly made a false declaration when you failed to declare your interest in Account No: 7046305398 in your name Lekan Tosin Olatoye domiciled with  Palmpay Limited in the Declaration of Assets Form of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and you thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 27(3)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.”

    They all pleaded “not guilty” to their charge, upon which the prosecution counsel, Moses O. Arumemi urged the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a correctional centre, while the defence counsel, Solomon Ologbondiyan and E.B Abichele, urged the court to grant the defendants bail.

    Justice Bello, thereafter granted Olatoye, Dodo, and Dangyil bail in the sum of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira), each and one surety, each in like sum, who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. In addition,the trio shall provide their National Identity Cards and three months utility bill. He
    adjourned till October 15, 16 and 23, 2025 for commencement of  their trial.

    Justice Isiaka on his part, ordered Kayode’s remand in correctional centre and adjourned till July 2, 2025 for the hearing of his bail application.
    The defendants were arrested following actionable intelligence that exposed them for operating a school without licence in Minna, Niger State and in the course of the investigation they refused to declare their assets in the Assets Declaration Form of the EFCC.

  • EFCC Raids in Nigeria: Helping the Nation or Serving Other Interests?

    EFCC Raids in Nigeria: Helping the Nation or Serving Other Interests?

    By Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor

    When the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo commenced the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in 2003, it was a way of responding to the then growing concern over the increase in economic and financial crimes such as advance fee fraud, money laundering, corruption, and other financial crimes. It took some months before it was fully established under the EFCC Act 2004, and the commission was empowered to investigate all financial crimes, enforce relevant laws, and coordinate efforts of other institutions involved in the fight against corruption. Then, Nigeria faced very bad pressure from international agencies, especially the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), due to its global reputation as the then hub of internet scams and financial crimes. Before EFCC, FATF had placed Nigeria on its Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories (NCCTs).

    Charged with the responsibility of investigating financial crimes and bringing offenders to justice, enforcement of economic and financial crimes laws, prevention and combat of financial crimes laws, prevention and combating of financial and economic crimes, amongst others, many Nigerians weren’t comfortable with the idea because the country already had the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) that was trying her best at that time. To some, it was a creation of the executive arm of government which would be used to witch-hunt the opposition voices and blackmail targeted individuals; some saw it as an extension of the Nigerian police, while others saw it as a welcomed development. President Obasanjo appointed Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the first chairman of the commission, who did his best to fight corruption, even though corruption tried everything possible to fight back, but he remained resolute.

    In EFCC, there are different departments that enable its work to progress, as created by the EFCC Act 2004. The departments include Operations Department, Legal and Prosecution Department, Intelligence and Special Operations Department, Administration and Human Resources Department, Finance and Accounts Department, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department, Media and Public Affairs Department, Capacity Development Department, Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Management Department, Research and Documentation Department.

    In all these departments, the most popular and controversial are the Operation, Legal, and Prosecution. This is because, when Nigerians hear about EFCC, it is either they arrested someone or people, raided an environment, charged a suspect to court, or got someone convicted. The Operation arm has been criticized recently by many Nigerians and the global world due to their unethical and unprofessional approach to their duties, especially late-night raiding, as well as alleged abuse of office, as many say they break too many laws while trying to enforce a law.

    These departments, since the establishment of the commission, have engaged in activities that have provided a bad image to the commission, especially from revered organizations, groups, legal experts, and individuals. In one of their nefarious activities, renowned legal luminary Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, while talking on May 7th, 2024, said, “I very strongly believe the EFCC is unconstitutionally established… The EFCC is an unlawful organisation,” declared Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), former NBA President, in an interview published on May 7, 2024, calling for legal reform of the commission’s mandate (Punch Newspapers, 7 May 2024). This statement also tallied with another by Oluwalanu Agusto, a Nigerian illustrator and author, who said, “Nigeria has too many problems for the EFCC to be arresting people over frivolous issues. Have they chased the politicians embezzling billions?” he asked, in an interview published May 14, 2024 (Financial Times, 14 May 2024). Also, Olu Fasan, a public policy analyst, in a critical op-ed on December 15, 2023, questioned EFCC’s credibility as an anti-corruption agency, as published by the Nigerian Observer on 15 December 2023. According to him, “The agency is so bedevilled that it has become part of the problem, not part of the solution.”

    One of the things that have made many question the operation guidelines of the commission was when it began to go against itself. On the 1st of November, 2023, EFCC banned night raids after widespread condemnation. According to reports, “The EFCC itself issued a directive banning sting operations at night after civil society organizations and the public condemned the agency’s midnight tactics as extrajudicial and dangerous” (The Cable, Nov 1, 2023). But on June 8, 2024, the same commission raided a nightclub in Akure, which sparked human rights outcry. The reports of the incident said, “The EFCC’s commando-style raid of nightclubs in Akure, where over 50 youths were arrested, including a groom-to-be, drew sharp criticism from human rights activists and observers. The use of tear gas and force was described as a “violation of human dignity and abuse of operational powers” (Daily Post, June 9, 2024).

    While many were wondering the reason why EFCC would go against itself, the worst happened again at Awka in January 2025. On the 17th of January 2025, there was a report that said, “Awka Midnight Operation Turned Deadly.”

    It also said, “The EFCC came under fire after a midnight raid in Awka, Anambra State, led to the accidental shooting of an EFCC operative, Aminu Salisu, despite the commission’s November 2023 internal directive banning night raids. Civil society and legal advocates condemned the operation as reckless and unlawful” (Punch, Jan 17, 2025).

    The midnight raid didn’t stop there. On the 2nd of May, 2025, EFCC also raided different houses at midnight at Premier Layout, Enugu, where over 30 young persons were arrested and interrogated.

    What annoys many both in Nigeria and the global world is that the commission is aware of some extant laws such as Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, Section 144(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Section 37 of the Evidence Act 2011, Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, which all stipulated both the rights of law enforcement agencies/commissions and that of the citizens, yet they always flaunt them. Why a commission established by law manages to disobey the law or use the law as a sword instead of a shield is what Nigerians and the global world need to know.

    However, questions that any progressive-minded Nigerian would always ask are: why is EFCC going against itself? Who are they serving? Are they actually living up to the expectations or doing otherwise? How do Nigerians see them? What do Nigerians feel about their work?

    The answers to these questions would help our lawmakers and notable Nigerians to know whether the commission is still necessary or should outrightly be disbanded.

  • Appeal Court quashes Yahaya Bello’s contempt case against EFCC Chairman, awards N1m cost

    Appeal Court quashes Yahaya Bello’s contempt case against EFCC Chairman, awards N1m cost

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has quashed the contempt case initiated by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede.

    Bello had predicted the contempt case before a High Court of Kogi State sitting in Lokoja on interim orders earlier granted by the court, subsequent upon which the High Court ordered Olukoyede to show cause why he should not be held for contempt, a decision the EFCC boss appealed.

    In a judgment on Thursday, June 13, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal held among others that the contempt case was premised on dead interim orders issued by the Kogi State High Court, sitting in Lokoja.

    The Court of Appeal held that, as at the time Bello commenced the contempt case, the interim orders, on which the contempt case was built, had expired because the High Court had delivered its judgment on the substantive fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by Bello.

    It noted that the interim orders, having been made pending the determination of the substantive suit and the substantive suit having been determined without the lifetime of the interim orders extended in the final judgment, the interim orders were extinct as of when the contempt case was initiated.

    In the lead judgment, Justice Joseph Oyewole held the trial judge failed to extend the interim orders of 9/2/2024 in its final judgment of 17/4/2024.

    The court awarded N1 million cost against the respondent (Bello).

    Nation 
  • EFCC sells 649 vehicles, auctions 160 houses, lands worth billions of naira

    EFCC sells 649 vehicles, auctions 160 houses, lands worth billions of naira

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun the sales of 160 houses and lands worth billions of naira spread across highbrow areas in Lagos, Abuja and 14 other states.

    Prospective buyers including those occupying the listed buildings that have no case with EFCC and have not been convicted can bid for any of the property until January 9, 2023, when the auction closes, the anti-graft agency said.

    The auction of the properties came in the wake of the successful auction of 649 vehicles in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ilorin and other locations.

    Daily Trust reports that most of the properties slated for auction belong to government officials who used their offices to enrich themselves and their cronies by siphoning public funds.

    Among the properties slated for auction are those cornered by the former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke and those procured by a former head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke.

    On December 15, 2022, EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa said the anti-graft agency had auctioned over 649 vehicles and was ready to auction 160 forfeited flats and apartments as well as parcels of land in 16 locations in the country.

    Speaking at the 62nd Session of the State House Media Briefing at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Bawa said unlike the public auction of vehicles, some occupants of some of the properties including agencies of government would be given right of first refusal in the sale.

    The reporter obtained the properties’ auction notice on Monday and the analysis revealed the locations and descriptions of the buildings on offer.

    EFCC said the exercise was a continuation of the auction scheduled to take place across the commands of the commission and was done in line with the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004; Public Procurement Act, 2007 and the Proceeds of Crimes (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.

    There are 58 of the properties to be auctioned in Lagos, 39 in Abuja while 44 real estate properties are in Rivers, Kaduna and nine other states, according to Daily Trust analysis of the auction document.

    Diezani, ex-NIA dg’s houses, others up for grabs

    In Lagos, 58 buildings are on sale around the Banana Island in Ikoyi, Lekki, Yaba, among others. Analysis of the record indicates that the anti-graft agency is shopping for buyers for 18 units of three-bedroom houses in Banana Island, Ikoyi in Lagos. The property was forfeited by Diezani after EFCC seized it in 2017. The property Building 3, Block B, is a 15-storey edifice comprising 18 flats and 6 penthouses at Foreshore Estate.

    According to reports, it was acquired by the former minister between 2011 and 2012 at $37.5m from the developers, YF Construction Development and Real Estate. EFCC is also selling off six units of 4-bedroom flats within the same location.

    In the Yaba area of Lagos, EFCC is auctioning nine units of 4-bedroom terrace apartments at Thorburn Avenue. 10 units of 3-bedroom flats are also up for grabs as well as two units of 2-bedroom flats within the same location in Lagos; the properties were also traced to Diezani.

    Around Ikoyi and Lekki, 10 properties and three lands have been mapped for sale in the next two weeks by the EFCC. Topping these is the 4-bedroom luxury apartment at No. 16, Osborne Road, Flat 7B Osborne Towers, Ikoyi.

    The anti-graft agency had recovered $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218, 000 with a Federal High Court ordering the forfeiture of the funds to the federal government in 2017 from the apartment.

    Osborne Towers was built by a former governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Muazu but the apartment was sold to Oke, who acquired it for $1.658 million, according to EFCC. Beside these, there are three other parcels of lands it is selling around Lekki and Eti-Osa.

    In Rivers State, EFCC is selling off 16 units of 4-bedroom terrace apartments at Heritage Court Estate in Port Harcourt to a single buyer; the bid also has a 500kVA generator and a 40,000-litre petrol tank. These houses were also seized from Diezani.

    In Abuja, the anti-graft agency is auctioning 34 apartments and five parcels of land. The apartments comprise 6-bed, 5-bed, 4-bedrooms, 3-bedrooms, 2-bedrooms at Kubwa, Wuse 2, Dakwo, Lugbe and a two-storey building in Gwarinpa. The five plots of land are in Apo, Mbora District, Daki Biyu, Bwari and another near the airport at the Aviation Village. Most of these houses were seized from a former Assistant Director in the Federal Civil Service, John Yakubu Yusuf, relating to fraud at the Police Pension Fund.

    EFCC is also selling seven plots of land and apartments in Anambra, Ebonyi and Gombe states. Six of the lands are in Anambra and one in Ebonyi and a 3-bedroom real estate in Gombe. They were seized from state government officials as well as surveyors and real estate dealers.

    There are 21 properties for sale in Edo, Delta, Rivers, Kaduna, Kwara, Cross River, Oyo and Osun states.

    Right of first refusal 

    According to the EFCC notice, anyone or corporate entity that will buy any of the property must not have been or is being prosecuted by the EFCC or have been convicted. The anti-graft agency also prohibited its staff from participating while it gave the right of first refusal to people living in such property on tendering evidence of valid tenancy agreement and up to date rent payment.

    According to EFCC, the bid process, which is ongoing, will end Monday, 9th January, 2023.

    How cars worth millions were auctioned in Dec 

    It was reported that EFCC had auctioned over 600 vehicles with 435 of them auctioned in Lagos.

    It also auctioned over 190 vehicles and electronic devices at its zonal offices in Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan and Uyo, all within December 2022.

    On December 19, 2022, EFCC auctioned seven cars, which are subjects of final forfeiture orders in Ilorin, Kwara State.

    It was reported that this is not the first time EFCC is auctioning forfeited assets. On December 19, 2019, it auctioned 244 vehicles forfeited to the federal government by illegal oil dealers using registered auctioneers.

    We’ll announce revenue from sales soon – Spokesman

    When contacted on the amount generated so far from the auction of the 649 vehicles, the spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, said the exact figure was yet to be available as the auction was ongoing.

    “The auction processes are still ongoing, kindly be patient with us. We shall make every request available upon conclusion,” Uwujaren said via telephone interview. Although there were some court injunctions against the sale of some of the forfeited items, Uwujaren said the commission would respond to court summons if invited on that.

    “There is nothing to comment on this. The court is an open place for anybody. It is there for anybody to approach. The commission will willingly honour any court summons on any of these cases,” he said.

    Auction to tackle corrupt tendencies – Experts

    Experts have told the reporter that the auction of forfeited properties by the anti-graft agency was key to reducing corrupt tendencies among politicians and businessmen.

    An economist at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Mr Joseph Momoh, said the auction of cars and other items by the EFCC was the right thing to do rather than allowing the items to lie fallow.

    “As such, when seizures are made, the EFCC liaises with other relevant agencies like the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to ensure that it is in conformity with the laws of the land,” Momoh said.

    Speaking further, he cautioned against sharp practices in the exercise while calling on the chairman of the EFCC to ensure that transparency and due diligence were followed in the exercise.

    Speaking on the development, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, urged the EFCC to continue to carry out this auction in accordance with laid down rules.

    According to him, the CISLAC had been advocating for the enactment of the law to ensure more transparent and accountable assets management and utilisation in Nigeria.

    “CISLAC believes that if the commission is able to do this properly without abuse of the due process, then Nigerians would have more confidence in the commission and its staff.

    “Other government agencies must also join hands to ensure public auction followed due process as contained in the Proceeds of Crimes (Recovery and Management) Act.

    “The ongoing auction may contribute to reducing instances of corruption by public officials who usually use their position to engage in corruption. Once they don’t benefit from the money or assets they have stolen and the court confiscates any assets from them, then they will not have the incentive to continue looting public funds and assets,” Rafsanjani said.

    Also, the Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, told Daily Trust that the auction of properties and assets, which are proceeds of corrupt activities by EFCC is a stop gap measure, which comes with its contradiction.

    “If there were proceeds of crime legislation in place, it would have been more effective for a separate body, which has the specialty to take charge of the disposal of the assets. EFCC is not an auctioneer and should be allowed to face its mandate squarely.

    “Turning the anti-graft agencies into auctioning houses could expose them to conflict of interest, which could in the long run undermine the anti-graft crusade,” he said.

    (Daily Trust)

  • Alleged N25bn fraud: EFCC arrests NDDC director of Finance

    Alleged N25bn fraud: EFCC arrests NDDC director of Finance

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Director of Finance and Account of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Eno Ubi Otu, for alleged N25 billion fraud, TheCable reports.

    Sources told the newspaper that the NDDC official was brought to the EFCC’s office in Abuja on Wednesday for questioning on his alleged involvement in the diversion of tax remittances in the commission.

    Otu’s arrest, according to the sources, was part of the commission’s ongoing investigation of NDDC’s officials for alleged corruption in the interventionist agency.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2019 ordered the forensic audit of the NDDC since its establishment in 2001.

    The auditors picked by the Federal Government to undertake the exercise had since submitted their report.

    The president in June last year vowed to recover every kobo stolen from the NDDC before the end of his tenure in 2023.

    (Ripples)

  • Alleged 2.9bn Fraud: EFCC vows to prosecute Okorocha after rearrest

    After 10 hours of stand-off, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, arrested a former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

    A source from the anti-graft agency, who confirmed Okorocha’s arrest, yesterday, simply said, “After nearly 10hours standoff, EFCC arrests Senator Okorocha.”

    Spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, had in a statement, yesterday, said operatives of the anti-graft agency invaded the residence, following Okorocha’s repeated refusal to honour their invitation, after he was granted an administrative bail. He said Okorocha will be arrested and prosecuted.

    Uwujaren said the former Imo governor jumped bail and has refused to keep his side of the deal of his bail conditions.

    The statement reads: “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), today, May 24, 2022, arrived at the Maitama, Abuja home of a former governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, to effect his arrest.

    “The move followed the refusal of the former governor to honour invitations after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the Commission.

    “EFCC had, on January 24, 2022, filed a 17-count criminal charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9 billion against Okorocha.

    “The case was assigned to Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, but attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were twice stalled, owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes.

    “At the last adjourned date, March 28, 2022, Justice Ekwo, before adjourning until May 30, 2022, had warned that it was “the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter”.

    “In the circumstances, the Commission is left with no option than to effect the arrest of Senator Okorocha and bring him to trial.”

    When Daily Sun visited Okorocha’s house yesterday, it was observed that armed personnel of the Nigeria Police Force were part of the operation.

    Sun

  • EFCC obtains final forfeiture order on property, vehicles for Arthur Eze’s benefit

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained a final forfeiture order on property and vehicles in Abuja belonging to two brothers who hitherto worked for billionaire philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze.

    The forfeited property and vehicles will be for the benefit of Prince Eze. This is the second time the anti-corruption agency is getting forfeiture order against the two brothers. The first forfeiture order was for property belonging to the duo in Enugu.

    In a judgment by the High Court of The Federal Capital Territory on Thursday, in the case brought against Olisaebuka Okechukwu Eze, Onyeka Nnadozie Eze and their companies, Berlus Resources Limited and DYM Integrated Services Limited, Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi said an “order of final forfeiture of the properties listed in the attached schedule is hereby granted the Federal Government of Nigeria for the benefit of the nominal complainant, Prince Arthur Eze.”

    The property to be forfeited by Olisaebuka O. Eze, according to the court order, are: seven bedroom duplex at Cadastral Zone 806, located at Ifeanyi Ararume Street, Mabushi, Abuja; Plot no 621 Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District; 1 red Oulum wrist watch stainless steel, 1 golden coloured Justbling wrist watch JB-6116; Toyota Camry 2014 model; Toyota Highlander; Honda Accord 2013 model and Mercedes Benz 2019 model.

    Property and vehicles to be forfeited by Onyeka Nnadozie Eze include: nine units of 2 bedroom flats located at Plot 375 Off Ameyo Adedovan Way, Kado, Abuja; 3 bedroom terrace duplex located at Brookshouse Residence, Karsana District, Abuja; Plot no AHE540 in Lugbe AMAC Housing Estate; Plot no 285 measuring 1, 589.28 SQM In Cadastral Zone E23, Kiyami, Abuja; Toyota Avalon; Toyota Tundra; Honda Civic; Mercedes Bnz C400 etc.

    The Eze brothers were said to have gotten the property and vehicles as staff of Prince Eze, when their salaries could not have financed such acquisition.

    (Sun)

  • EFCC to appeal Turaki’s acquittal

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it will approach the Court of Appeal to contest the verdict of the Abuja Federal High Court quashing the 16 counts bordering on corruption and money laundering to the tune of N715million levelled against the former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Kabiru Taminu Turaki (SAN) and three Others.

    This was revealed in an official statement signed by the commission on Monday night.

    The PUNCH earlier reported that in a ruling delivered on Monday, March 28, Justice Inyang Ekwo had upheld a no-case submission by the defendants.

    The Judge held that it was unnecessary to ask the defendants to enter their defence, describing the evidence presented by the prosecution witnesses as “tainted”.

    He also stated that the fact that the prosecution did not honour the Attorney General’s request for information regarding the case file, already discredited the charge.

    However, the commission says the trial judge erred in dismissing the testimonies of all twelve prosecution witnesses and has thus resolved to file a notice of appeal at the appellate court – to set aside Justice Ekwo’s ruling.

    The EFCC, in the disputed case, had alleged that the ex-minister used two companies: Samtee Essentials Limited, and Pasco Investment Limited – to perpetrate fraud while he was serving as the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and during his stint as a supervisory minister under the Ministry of Labour.

    Turaki presided over the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs from 2013 to 2015 and served as the Supervising Minister of Labour from 2014 to 2015 in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    (Punch)