The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has denied allegations that it shared forfeited assets among its officials, ministers, and aides of President Bola Tinubu.
The denial comes after an online publication claimed that the EFCC shared N54 billion forfeited by associates of former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, Godwin Emefiele.
In a statement, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, described the publication as false, stating that the notion of sharing proceeds of forfeited assets is “strange” to the commission.
Oyewale attributed the report to ignorance and mischief.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of forfeited assets, dismissing any claims of favoritism or improper distribution of assets.
The commission has assured the public that it remains dedicated to fighting financial crimes and recovering illicit assets for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
While urging the public to ignore the report, EFCC said: “No official of the Commission was, or has ever been involved in the “sharing” of any proceeds of forfeited assets. The notion of “sharing of proceeds of forfeited assets” is strange to the Commission.
“The sensational report which was promoted ostensibly to scandalise the agencies mentioned, betrays the author’s ignorance of the existing asset recovery and management framework..”
“Both the EFCC Act, 2004 and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, are unambiguous in terms of the accounts into which proceeds of forfeited assets are to be paid..”
“There is no ‘platform’ for the ‘sharing of forfeited assets’; the notion itself being infantile.”
