The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Office, says the commission has secured 151 convictions out of the 556 cases investigated in one year amidst COVID-19 global pandemic.
Mr Kanu Idagu, the Zonal Head, who made the disclosure during a news conference held on Friday in Ibadan, said the successes recorded by the commission was from July 2019 to June 2020.
He said that the commission in the last one year secured 151 convictions and recovered N250,223,451.15, US$215,142, CD$325, €1,990, £500 as well as 72 vehicles.
“Within the said period, the zone investigated 556 cases. We were able to secure 151 convictions out of the number, while 97 others are still in court.
“From July 2019 to June 2020, we recovered an aggregate sum of N250, 223,451.15. Others in foreign currencies include: US$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,” he said.
Idagu lamented the negative impact of COVID-19 on their operations, saying the virus has dealt devastating blow on humanity with huge fatality and altered the way they live their lives.
He said that the social distancing measures introduced to curb the spread of COVID-19 affected their activities, particularly capacity to effect arrest and prosecution in court.
The EFCC boss said that in spite of the challenges occasioned by the lockdown, the zonal office has been working to ensure that criminals do not take undue advantage of the situation.
“For instance, the number of convictions from January till date stand at 114. In other word, almost 70 per cent of the entire convictions recorded in the last one year took place in 2020.
“Equally, N122, 917, 676.72 of the N250,223,451.15 mentioned above was recovered between January and June 2020. Also under the period, US$101,246, CD$300 and £500 were recovered as well as 21 vehicles,” he said.
Idagu said the commission remained focused, and committed to curbing the menace of economic and financial crimes, protecting individuals’ finances, nation’s economy as wells safeguarding the country’s image.
He thanked the Federal Government for its support to the commission, saying the desire of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption to a standstill was not just a wish.
Idagu added that the zone recorded remarkable successes in the period under review with the unwavering support of the chairman and other stakeholders.
He also commended the media for their tremendous cooperation with the commission, saying they look forward to more robust and engaging relationship with them.
