The Ibadan Zonal office of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that within 11 months, it investigated 556 corruption related cases, out of which it secured 151 convictions.
Speaking at a press conference organise to commemorate 2020 Democracy Day, the Zonal Head, Kanu Idagu, noted that the zone has 97 corrupt related cases in court.
According to him, the commission recovered an aggregate sum of N250, 223,451 adding,”Others in foreign currencies include $215,142, CD 325, £1,990 and £500. Also recovered are 72 vehicles and properties worth billions of naira in location spread across the zone”.
Idagu attributed the achievements of the commission to the tremendous support the commission is enjoying from the federal government adding, “Indeed, President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to fight corruption to a standstill is not just a wish. He walks his talk by providing all necessary supports for the anti-corruption crusade, particularly as it affects the operations of EFCC”,
The Zonal Head noted that the commission is willing to partner relevant stakeholders in the fight against corruption.
“The Ibadan zonal office is working assiduously to identify and connect with strategic stakeholders, whose mission and vision are tailored towards ensuring a Nigeria that every patriot dreams of. This include the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Directorate of State Service (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Civil Society Organisation (CSOs), among others. The stakeholders also regularly and promnently feature in our anti-corruption campaign events, include the occasional road walks”.
He, however, lamented the effect of Coronavirus on the operation of the Commission saying, “The virus has dealt devastating blow on humanity with huge fatality and has now altered the way we live our lives. The social distancing measures introduced as part of the measures to curb it’s spread has affected our activities in no small measure. This has taken a toll in our capacity to effect arrest of suspects as well as take them to court for prosecution”.
He said, “Even now that the country is gradually easing the lockdown, there are still hurdles we battle with in the line of duties. For instance, we have had instances where the correctional centres would refuse accepting suspects despite the order of court to keep them in their custody pending the next adjourned date. Notwithstanding, the challenges of lockdown however, the zone has been working, pushing hard to ensure that criminals don’t take undue advantage of the situation”.
Idagu, however, pointed out that despite the effect of Coronavirus on the Commission’s operation, reasonable percentage of the feats recorded were recorded within the COVID-19 crisis period.
“For instance, the number of convictions from January till date stands at 124. In other words, almost 70 percent of the entire convictions recorded in the last one year took place in 2020. Equally, N122,917,676 of the N250,233,451 mentioned above was recovered between January and June 2020. Also under the period, $102,246, CD 300, £1275 and £500 were recovered, as well as 21 vehicles.
