Over One Billion Recovered From Contractors, Others In 1yr- EFCC

Freezes account of suspected MDAs

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja

The Abuja zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) said it has recovered a total of one billion, five hundred and forty one million, eight hundred and one thousand, eight hundred and seventy two naira from contractors, cooperate organizations and private individuals.

The Zonal head, Aminu Ado Aliyu who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja added that the commission has blocked the account of Ministries and Department Agencies (MDAs) who could not explain unspent balances in their portal.

According to Aliyu, out of the total money recovered, about nine hundred and forty million, five hundred and forty six thousand, and ninety eight naira was recovered from contractors who were awarded federal government projects but failed to complete or did not execute the projects.

Aliyu who refused to mention names of contractors and MDAs involved, said so many of them were under investigation and promised that details would be made available to the public when the commission concludes investigations.

Updating newsmen on the office activities in the last one year, the head said: “Within the year under review, we have received a total number of 704 petitions.

“Out of these, 314 arrests have been made based on intelligence and merit of the cases, some have been thrown out for lack of merit while others have been transferred to other zones.

“In the same period, we have charged 67 cases to court and secured 43 convictions.

“In terms of recoveries, we have a total of one billion, five hundred and forty one million, eight hundred and one thousand, eight hundred and seventy two naira only.

“For individuals, we have recovered three hundred and fifteen million, eight hundred and twenty five thousand, and four hundred and thirty one naira only.

“For corporate organizations, we have recovered two hundred and eighty five million, four hundred and thirty thousand, and three hundred and forty three naira only while we have recovered nine hundred and forty million, five hundred and forty six thousand, and ninety eight naira only for the federal government.

“Also as part of our recoveries in foreign currency is ten thousand, three hundred and eighty six dollars only and seven hundred and thirty thousand, five hundred pounds sterling only.”

Aliyu further disclosed that the EFFC’s collaboration with the FBI in some investigations has yielded 3 arrests in cybercrime offences, adding: “We have also intensified our efforts in stemming the rising tide of cybercrimes in the country and have made several arrests and seized their laptops, phones and other gadgets used to perpetrate the offence. Some proceeds of these crimes in form of vehicles and properties have been forfeited to the federal government while others are still under investigation.”

He enjoined the media, civil society organizations and pressure groups to join hands with the commission to stamp corruption out of Nigeria.