*Recovers Over N27 Billion Illicit Funds From Ex-Governor, Ministers
The spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale has disclosed that the Commission recovered a combined sum of N27.1B and $19M from three different money laundering cases involving former governors and ex-ministers.
He said that it is in line with the efforts of the anti-graft agency to recover more illicit funds.
Oyewale said that the Commission would soon make public details of its ongoing probe of some former governors, ex-ministers, and several government officials across the federation, following the receipt of several petitions.
The agency spokesperson also informed that the EFCC is carrying out ongoing investigations into some monumental procurement fraud involving some officials of the Federal Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Agriculture.
He made the revelations on Wednesday while speaking on behalf of the EFCC acting Chairman, Abdukarim Chukkol, during a media interaction in Lagos.
Oyewale said that the anti-graft agency had seized several houses in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Cross River states which are proceeds of funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Power projects that were diverted through sundry Bureau de Change operators.
According to him, “In three different cases, the Commission has recovered N27, 184,357,524.52 and $19,084,419.33. While ongoing recovery is being made, the Commission’s works are progressing in line with our mandate as prevention initiatives, risk assessments and recovery efforts are being intensified.
“Petitions were received in respect of several public officials, some of them former governors, some former ministers, and some ministry officials and investigations are ongoing on those petitions; however, details of their involvements and our investigations will soon be made public.
“Also, investigations are ongoing in respect of monumental fraud involving some officials of the Federal Ministry of Power and Agriculture; procurement fraud actually. Funds meant for the Mambilla and Zungeru Power projects are diverted through sundry Bureau de Change operators. For now, several houses purchased with the funds are being recovered. The houses are in Abuja, Lagos and Cross River States,” Oyewale said.
By Adekunle Adegboyega
