HammerTimes News Online

Tag: #EFCC

  • EFCC boss describes Buhari’s anti-corruption drive as excellent

    The Chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, has described the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari in his eight years of administration as excellent.

    Bawa said this on Thursday at the passing out ceremony of the Inspector Cadet Course Six 2022 of the EFCC at Police Mobile Force Training College (PMFTC), Ende Hills, Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 115 cadets comprised 96 males and 19 females completed their nine months rigorous training at the PMFTC.

    The EFCC boss said that the fight against corruption was not an easy task, stressing that Buhari’s administration’s fight against corruption surpassed other previous administrations.

    “The assessment of the president anti-corruption drive is of course on top and it has been excellent.

    “Yesterday I was with him, where we presented to him the graph presentation of the rise in the conviction we succeeded in securing under his leadership.

    “In 2016, the EFCC only recorded 103 convictions and in 2022 we recorded 3,785, all credits goes to him. This signified a sharp increase from the previous year’s conviction records of the commission.

    “Because he was able to provide us not only the political will required to fight corruption but also the political action,” he said

    While expressing gratitude to Buhari, he said that the president had strengthened the commission in his quest and zeal to rid the country of corruption, whose effect had slowed down the country’s development potential.

    “Since my appointment as the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr President has granted us all the necessary support and legislations, including the need to boost the manpower of the commission.

    “To reinforce his commitment, the president assented into law three legislations; being the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2022; the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2022; and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Bill, 2022.

    “These legal instruments against illicit financial flow and money laundry have aided the conviction achievement of the EFCC,’’ he said.

    Bawa said notwithstanding its enforcement and prosecution mileage, the commission had not relented in its prevention mandate in line with the strategic objective plan of 2021 to 2025

    The chairman said that this included increasing the level of public engagement in the fight against economic and financial crime.

    According to him, in furtherance of this objective, the commission on every Wednesday engage in real time with the public via a virtual town hall meeting on the EFCC’s tweeter handle.

    He said that the EFCC lead role in the comity of law enforcement, particularly against economic and financial crimes was no mean feat.

    According to him, to sustain this role, its officers are guided by the core values of integrity, courage, professionalism, and collaboration

    Bawa also commended the quality of training received by the 115 cadets, adding that they had been transformed from ordinary civilians into law enforcement and combat ready personnel.

    “Before you today are officers drawn from every state in Nigeria, as well as the FCT after having fulfilled the selection requirements during the recruitment exercise, they came in without knowing what to expect.

    “In the course of the training, these cadets received relevant academic knowledge from the EFCC instructors in areas of vocational studies, legal studies, financial studies, forensic, ICT and general studies,” he said

    He noted that it had been a long road getting there, in spite of the various challenges encountered.

    “I am happy to say that the cadets have been transformed, and are ready to deliver their quota in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

    “I urge you all to be committed to the profession you are signed up for.

    “It is crucial for you to know that law enforcement especially in the field of fighting financial crimes, is a crucial national service, a career that takes years to build, which requires only minutes to destroy,” he said.

  • EFCC boss describes Buhari’s anti-corruption drive as excellent

    The Chairman of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, has described the anti-corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari in his eight years of administration as excellent.

    Bawa said this on Thursday at the passing out ceremony of the Inspector Cadet Course Six 2022 of the EFCC at Police Mobile Force Training College (PMFTC), Ende Hills, Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 115 cadets comprised 96 males and 19 females completed their nine months rigorous training at the PMFTC.

    The EFCC boss said that the fight against corruption was not an easy task, stressing that Buhari’s administration’s fight against corruption surpassed other previous administrations.

    “The assessment of the president anti-corruption drive is of course on top and it has been excellent.

    “Yesterday I was with him, where we presented to him the graph presentation of the rise in the conviction we succeeded in securing under his leadership.

    “In 2016, the EFCC only recorded 103 convictions and in 2022 we recorded 3,785, all credits goes to him. This signified a sharp increase from the previous year’s conviction records of the commission.

    “Because he was able to provide us not only the political will required to fight corruption but also the political action,” he said

    While expressing gratitude to Buhari, he said that the president had strengthened the commission in his quest and zeal to rid the country of corruption, whose effect had slowed down the country’s development potential.

    “Since my appointment as the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr President has granted us all the necessary support and legislations, including the need to boost the manpower of the commission.

    “To reinforce his commitment, the president assented into law three legislations; being the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2022; the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill, 2022; and the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Bill, 2022.

    “These legal instruments against illicit financial flow and money laundry have aided the conviction achievement of the EFCC,’’ he said.

    Bawa said notwithstanding its enforcement and prosecution mileage, the commission had not relented in its prevention mandate in line with the strategic objective plan of 2021 to 2025

    The chairman said that this included increasing the level of public engagement in the fight against economic and financial crime.

    According to him, in furtherance of this objective, the commission on every Wednesday engage in real time with the public via a virtual town hall meeting on the EFCC’s tweeter handle.

    He said that the EFCC lead role in the comity of law enforcement, particularly against economic and financial crimes was no mean feat.

    According to him, to sustain this role, its officers are guided by the core values of integrity, courage, professionalism, and collaboration

    Bawa also commended the quality of training received by the 115 cadets, adding that they had been transformed from ordinary civilians into law enforcement and combat ready personnel.

    “Before you today are officers drawn from every state in Nigeria, as well as the FCT after having fulfilled the selection requirements during the recruitment exercise, they came in without knowing what to expect.

    “In the course of the training, these cadets received relevant academic knowledge from the EFCC instructors in areas of vocational studies, legal studies, financial studies, forensic, ICT and general studies,” he said

    He noted that it had been a long road getting there, in spite of the various challenges encountered.

    “I am happy to say that the cadets have been transformed, and are ready to deliver their quota in the fight against economic and financial crimes.

    “I urge you all to be committed to the profession you are signed up for.

    “It is crucial for you to know that law enforcement especially in the field of fighting financial crimes, is a crucial national service, a career that takes years to build, which requires only minutes to destroy,” he said.

  • Alleged N500bn scam: CSO petitions EFCC, ICPC, demands Ayade’s probe

    A coalition of civil societies under the aegis of Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial impropriety against Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River.

    The Spokesperson for NACAT, Mr Iteveh Ekpokpobe, in a news conference in Abuja cited an audit report of the state treasury between 2015 and 2020, accusing Ayade of squandered state resources.

    Details of the report accused Ayade of diverting funds meant for infrastructure development, workers’ welfare, and other critical sectors to personal use.

    According to Ekpokpobe, the audit report shows that Ayade’s administration mismanaged over N500 billion during his first tenure as governor.

    He also alleged that the governor engaged in money laundering activities, using his personal businesses, Leophina Works Limited and Hally Brown International Limited, to siphon state funds.

    “We are calling on the EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) to immediately commence an investigation into Gov. Ayade’s activities while in office.

    “The audit report clearly shows that he misused state resources and engaged in financial crimes.

    “We believe that he must be held accountable for his actions and made to face the full wrath of the law,” Ekpokpobe said.

    He said that NACAT, through a comprehensive audit, discovered financial irregularities ranging from circumvention of procurement processes, suspicious payments of monies, possible money laundering, to award of contracts to non-existent Shell Companies.

    “It is on this note that we are calling on the EFCC to quickly invite him to give clarification on these blatant irregularities bothering on wanton looting of the Cross River State’s treasury to the tune of over N500 billion

    “These financial manipulations have cost the good people of Cross River State, money amounting to over 500 billion Naira, under the watch of Prof. Ben Ayade,’’ Ekpokpobe said.

    But when contacted, Ayade’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Christian Ita, told newsmen that the claims were laughable, baseless and politically motivated.

    He accused NACAT of being a tool in the hands of opposition politicians, who were desperate to tarnish the governor’s image.

    “Please, before I respond, kindly do us a favour, and calculate how much allocations have come to the state in eight years. They’re published by the Federal Government.

    The state hasn’t earned that kind of money in eight years. So, from where did he see N500 billion to steal,” Ita said. (NAN)

  • EFCC arrests 6 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja

    The Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested six suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja.

    EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that they were arrested on Tuesday in a sting operation at Jahi and Dawaki axes of the Federal Capital Territory based on credible intelligence on their alleged criminal activities.

    The suspects according to him, are: Emmanuel Ndubuisi, Solomon Tochukwu, Okotie Kingsley, Benedict Akor, Samuel Anosike and Samson Iffy.

    ”Items recovered from them include; one Mercedes Benz car; two Lexus RX350 and Toyota Camry.

    ”Others are, laptops, mobile phones, one international passport and an expensive wrist watch.

    ”They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded, ” he said (NAN)

  • EFCC arrests 6 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja

    The Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested six suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja.

    EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that they were arrested on Tuesday in a sting operation at Jahi and Dawaki axes of the Federal Capital Territory based on credible intelligence on their alleged criminal activities.

    The suspects according to him, are: Emmanuel Ndubuisi, Solomon Tochukwu, Okotie Kingsley, Benedict Akor, Samuel Anosike and Samson Iffy.

    ”Items recovered from them include; one Mercedes Benz car; two Lexus RX350 and Toyota Camry.

    ”Others are, laptops, mobile phones, one international passport and an expensive wrist watch.

    ”They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded, ” he said (NAN)

  • EFCC arrests 6 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja

    The Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested six suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja.

    EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said that they were arrested on Tuesday in a sting operation at Jahi and Dawaki axes of the Federal Capital Territory based on credible intelligence on their alleged criminal activities.

    The suspects according to him, are: Emmanuel Ndubuisi, Solomon Tochukwu, Okotie Kingsley, Benedict Akor, Samuel Anosike and Samson Iffy.

    ”Items recovered from them include; one Mercedes Benz car; two Lexus RX350 and Toyota Camry.

    ”Others are, laptops, mobile phones, one international passport and an expensive wrist watch.

    ”They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded, ” he said (NAN)

  • Vote buying: EFCC arrests 12 suspects in Kano,others

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested 12 people suspected of vote buying with N1.5 million cash in Kano and Katsina  States.

    The EFCC Kano Zonal Commander, Faruk Dogondaji, told Newsmen on Saturday in Kano  that the 10 suspects were arrested in Doguwa  Local Government Areas (LGA) of Kano  state and two suspects were arrested in Kankiya Local Government Area iof Katsina state.

    He said that 10 suspects were apprehended with N 1,357,500 million trying to induce eligible voters in Doguwa LGA of Kano state.

    He explained that two suspects were arrested with N 242,000 in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina while trying to buy votes from eligible residents in some polling units.

    He said that all the suspects were arrested while attempting to share the money to influence voters during the supplementary election.

    We will also be physically presents in all the collection centres to prevent change of results.

    He said that the present of the personnel in the ongoing electoral process would add credible value to the election process.

    The EFCC commander said the suspects will be charged to court after investigation.

  • Vote buying: EFCC arrests 12 suspects in Kano,others

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested 12 people suspected of vote buying with N1.5 million cash in Kano and Katsina  States.

    The EFCC Kano Zonal Commander, Faruk Dogondaji, told Newsmen on Saturday in Kano  that the 10 suspects were arrested in Doguwa  Local Government Areas (LGA) of Kano  state and two suspects were arrested in Kankiya Local Government Area iof Katsina state.

    He said that 10 suspects were apprehended with N 1,357,500 million trying to induce eligible voters in Doguwa LGA of Kano state.

    He explained that two suspects were arrested with N 242,000 in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina while trying to buy votes from eligible residents in some polling units.

    He said that all the suspects were arrested while attempting to share the money to influence voters during the supplementary election.

    We will also be physically presents in all the collection centres to prevent change of results.

    He said that the present of the personnel in the ongoing electoral process would add credible value to the election process.

    The EFCC commander said the suspects will be charged to court after investigation.

  • Vote buying: EFCC arrests 12 suspects in Kano,others

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested 12 people suspected of vote buying with N1.5 million cash in Kano and Katsina  States.

    The EFCC Kano Zonal Commander, Faruk Dogondaji, told Newsmen on Saturday in Kano  that the 10 suspects were arrested in Doguwa  Local Government Areas (LGA) of Kano  state and two suspects were arrested in Kankiya Local Government Area iof Katsina state.

    He said that 10 suspects were apprehended with N 1,357,500 million trying to induce eligible voters in Doguwa LGA of Kano state.

    He explained that two suspects were arrested with N 242,000 in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina while trying to buy votes from eligible residents in some polling units.

    He said that all the suspects were arrested while attempting to share the money to influence voters during the supplementary election.

    We will also be physically presents in all the collection centres to prevent change of results.

    He said that the present of the personnel in the ongoing electoral process would add credible value to the election process.

    The EFCC commander said the suspects will be charged to court after investigation.

  • EFCC steps up action against vote buying, deploys teams

    By Isaac Aregbesola

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed its personnel across the states where Governorship and State Assembly elections  will take place on Saturday.

    The EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the move was to ensure that the elections were devoid of financial malpractice, especially inducement of voters.

    According to him, the teams led by senior officers began arriving at their assigned locations earlier on Friday.

    He said a number of them, on arrival, held consultation with the other security agencies involved in election security and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Uwajaren said that the team for Ebonyi State arrived Abakaliki and met with the Commissioner of Police at the State Headquarters, to register their presence.

    He said they, thereafter, proceeded to the State INEC Headquarters for a brief meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

    ”Officers of Kaduna Zonal Command led by ACEII Mustapha Abubakar who are on election monitoring mission to Niger State also met the Commissioner of Police, J.A Ogundele, to register their presence in the state.

    ”They also visited the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Niger State, Ahmed Yusha’u Garki.

    ”Officers of the Abuja Zonal Command on election monitoring duty in Nasarawa State, led by ACE II Adeniyi Adebayo, also registered their presence at the Nigeria Police Command Lafia,” he said.

    According to him, they also had a brief meeting with the Commissioner of Police.

    The spokesman said that the brief of the teams was to deter vote trading and other financial malpractice that could compromise the integrity of the elections.

    He said that the Executive Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, had, in a message to the teams before the Presidential and National Assembly elections, charged them to exhibit a high sense of integrity and professionalism in carrying out their duties.

    “You are out on a national assignment and I expect you to conduct yourselves responsibly in line with our core values of professionalism, integrity and courage.

    ”You have a responsibility to ensure that this election is devoid of financial malpractices, especially inducement of voters.

     ”The attention of the world is focused on Nigeria and we must do what is necessary to ensure that we have credible, free and fair elections, “ he quoted Bawa as saying. (NAN)