The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, said on Thursday the commission recovered N248 billion and $105 million in its fight against corruption in the last one year.
Olukoyede, who disclosed this at a news briefing to mark his one year in office, said EFCC secured 3,455 convictions during the period.
Represented at the briefing by the Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, the chairman said the commission had also charged four former governors to court for alleged corruption.
He added that the achievements were recorded from October 18, 2023, when he came on board to October 18, this year.
According to him, the commission recovered N248, 750,049,365.52; $105,423,190.39; £53,133.64; €172,547.10; T1,300.00 Indian Rupees and CAD $3,400.00 Canadian Dollars in just 12 months.
Olukoyede said: “It also recovered ¥74,859:00 Chinese Yuan; AUS $ 740:00 Australian Dollars; 170:00 UAE Dirham; 73,000:00 Korean Won; CFA 7,821,375:00 and R 50:00 South Africa Rands.
“On asset recovery and return, the EFCC on Sept. 6, handed over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) the sum of $180,300 and 53 vehicles, being assets recovered for Canadian victims of Nigerian fraudsters.”
He revealed that $164,000 of the recovered cash assets was for a victim identified as Elena Bogomas, while $16,300 belonged to one Sandra Butler.
“The recovered 53 vehicles were stolen over a period of time in Canada, freighted to Nigeria and distributed to multiple locations in Nigeria by the criminal elements,” he added.
The EFCC chairman listed the former governors charged to court as Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba).
”Yahaya Bello is charged in two different courts; one at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246,470, 088.88.
“The former Kogi governor alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu is also answering to 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion before Justice Maryanne Anenih.
“Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State and former permanent secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, are facing prosecution before Justice S. C Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a 15-count charge bordering on alleged N27 billion fraud.
“Ex-Kwara governor, Ahmed, alongside Ademola Banu, former Commissioner for Finance, are facing prosecution on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N10 billion.
“On his part, former governor Obiano, was on January 24, arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on a nine-count charge of money laundering, diversion of funds, stealing and corruption to the tune of N4 billion.
“In the same vein, two former Ministers of Power, Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye have been arrested and facing prosecution by the commission.
“Mamman is being prosecuted before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja on 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73.
“Agunloye, the Minister of Power in the President Olusegun Obasanjo government is being prosecuted on seven-count charge bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of $6 billion.
“Also, a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika is currently standing trial before two different courts – Justice S.B. Belgore of the FCT High Court, Garki, and Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court, Maitama,” he stated.
