The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday announced the recovery of N134,33,759,574.25, $121,769,076.30, £21,020.00, €156,925.00, ¥21,350.00, CFA300,000.00 from January to December 2022,
The EFCC chairman, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, who disclosed this during the 62nd ministerial media briefing organised by the presidential communications team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja also said the commission 3,615 convictions in 2022.
“In terms of monetary recoveries for the year under review, from January 1st to October 31st 2022, we recovered N134, 337, 759, 574.25. We have equally recovered $121 million as well as different amounts of Pound Sterling, Euros, Japanese Yen etc.
“For the non-cash assets these are some of the recoveries that we have made; 52 automobiles, electronics, motorcycles, clothing and real estates. These are forfeited assets not cases that are under investigation,” he said.
He also said N354 billion was recovered from a company in Lagos stressing that the recovery was made by its zonal office in the state.
Bawa further stated that the agency recovered over N30 billion from the suspended accountant general of the federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris.
The EFCC chief explained that Idris, alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele and Mohammed Kudu Usman, as well as a firm — Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited are standing trial for allegedly N109.5 billion.
In terms of convictions, Bawa said: “In the first full year of the current administration, the EFCC recorded only 195 convictions, that was 2016, in 2017, EFCC recorded 186, we went down; in 2018 we recorded 312 convictions, in 2019, we recorded 1280 convictions, it went up with over 312 percent.
“In 2022, we had COVID so we went down to 976, last year (2021) which was part of my administration, we recorded an unprecedented 2220 convictions and this year, even though it has not ended, we have so far recorded 3615 convictions, unprecedented.
“Every day we carry out these sting operations and we make arrests investigations and as well as prosecutions. 3,615 and over 50 percent have to do with cybercrime.”
Reps opposes building FMC in Buhari’s home town
The House of Representatives yesterday asked the ministry of health to move the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) from Daura in Katsina State to Funtua in the interest of the public.
Recall that the Daura is President Muhammadu Buhari’s hometown and there is an existing one in Katsina while some 15 states in Nigeria do not even one FMC.
Already, Daura is host to the Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital that was built in 2019.
The resolution was a sequel to a motion by Mr. Babangida Ibrahim (APC, Katsina) at the plenary.
The lawmaker contended that the establishment of another federal medical hospital in Daura will not adequately serve the people of Katsina State, adding that Funtua senatorial district lacks a single medical facility.
“In August 2019, the federal government established Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital as a world-class facility to address the constant medical tourism abroad in search of the best medical services.
“The interest of the large populace in Kastina State will be adversely affected if the sited Federal Medical Centre is left in Daura despite the presence of the Air Force Reference Hospital and its geographical proximity to Katsina;
“Funtua senatorial district lacks the presence of a Federal Medical facility despite its geographical distance from such facilities available in the State,” he said.
Consequently, the lawmakers resolved that the committees on healthcare services and legislative compliance should ensure compliance with the resolution.
